Jack Roles’ double helped Tottenham Hotspur progress into the FA Youth Cup fifth round at a canter on Tuesday evening, as they swept aside Queens Park Rangers 4-1 at Loftus Road.
With home goalkeeper Marcin Brzozowski playing out of his skin to keep the scores level, Roles broke the deadlock after 24 minutes before Reo Griffiths latched onto Dylan Duncan's pass 13 minutes later.
Kingsley Eshun’s near-post finish on the stroke of half-time brought QPR back into the game at 2-1, but Roles dashed their hopes again just a minute after the interval from Samuel Shashoua’s square ball, and George Marsh also headed home 16 minutes from time.
And Spurs’ head of player development John McDermott believed his side had managed the pressure of the location and the crowd expertly.
“This was a brilliant experience at Loftus Road,” he said. “It was played at a Premier League-standard stadium and whenever you come here and play under the lights it’s a privilege to do so.
“There was a real eagerness and hunger about the way we played – if you were watching as a neutral you would say that Tottenham have got some dangerous and effective players.
“We were exciting to watch and if we can just marry that with a little bit more composure and tactical acumen, that’s the next step.”
Elsewhere on Tuesday evening, AFC Wimbledon strode into the fifth round with an impressive 3-0 victory over Hull City.
First Toby Sibbick reached Tom Scott’s wonderful diagonal ball ahead of Hull goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer to finish on 12 minutes, before Jayden Antwi doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the lively Judah Chapman was fouled in the box.
And while Hull improved after the break with Marc Kelledy firing just over, Wimbledon put the gloss on the win nine minutes from time when substitute Callum Phillip flicked on a cross for Antonio Walker to score a third.
Meanwhile an inspired Tyrese Campbell hat-trick fuelled Stoke City’s progression, as they beat Nottingham Forest 4-1 at the bet365 Stadium.
Luke McCormick had scored for the Reds at 2-0 down, but Choz Charlesworth’s red card cost the visitors dear, with Campbell’s third of the night and substitute Harvey Read completing the rout.
