PL2 Season Ends With Defeat At Spurs

Derby County's Under-23s' Premier League 2 campaign ended in defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.

A hat-trick from Jack Roles made the difference and ultimately secured Spurs' place in the division for next season, while Cameron Cresswell was on the scoresheet for Derby.

Spurs started the game on the front foot and the opening goal came courtesy of an excellent touch and finish from Roles after seven minutes, as he found a yard of space and struck high into the roof of the net.

Josh Shonibare had a chance soon after but he couldn't find the target, before Ikechi Anya picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Sven Karic.

The home side had control of the game but Derby got themselves level just after the half-hour mark. Karic provided the delivery and Cresswell headed home for his 16th goal of the season.

The Rams enjoyed a sustained period of pressure as the half came to a close but Spurs regained the lead in stoppage time, with Roles doubling his tally with a precise header.

Shonibare had a good chance to equalise on the counter-attack just after the break, but his effort was well saved by Austin.

Timi Elsnik went close for the Rams with 20 minutes to play, as he curled one just wide of the post from outside the area.

Spurs stood firm under pressure and sealed the victory inside the last 10 minutes, as Roles completed his hat-trick with a simple finish.

Tottenham Hotspur: Austin; Hinds, Lyons-Foster, Tanganga (C), White; Oakley-Boothe, Bowden; Markanday (Cirkin 86'), Roles, Tracey (Patterson 90'); Parrott (Dinzeyi 76').

Unused: Kurylowicz, Richards.

Derby County: Ravas; Wassall, Bateman (C), Hunt; Gordon, Elsnik, Babos, Anya (Karic 17'); Wilson (Bird 67'), Shonibare, Cresswell (Whittaker 80').

Unused: Yates, Knight.