Albion beat Spurs to reach PL2 play-off final

Shannon Ruth's side won 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday thanks to goals from Noel Atom, Shane Nti and Kofi Shaw.

Luke Nicoli

2026-05-08T21:15+01:00

Sliding into the final: Noel Atom leads the celebrations after putting Albion in front. Photo: Simon Roe

Albion men's U21 side booked their place in the Premier League 2 Play-Off Final following a hugely impressive 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Goals from Noel Atom, Shane Nti and Kofi Shaw capped a display full of attacking intent and solid endeavour, with the reward a showpiece final against Manchester United.

Played out to a fantastic backdrop of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Shannon Ruth's young charges came into the game in buoyant mood, following a six-game unbeaten run that included five victories – the most recent being the 3-0 win against West Ham United on Monday which earned the side a place in the last four.

They made a confident start as a result and created the game's first chance when Tyler Silsby and Shane Nti combined well to set up Harry Howell. The attacking midfielder then showed quick feet on the edge of the box before dragging his effort wide.

The inquest begins in the Tottenham defence after Kofi Shaw extended Albion's lead. Photo: Simon Roe

With the opening 15 minutes played predominantly in the Spurs half, Miah Oriola also sent a dangerous cross into the box but Nti failed to get a good connection with his head.

The hosts, who started the tie on the back of a five-match winning streak, including a 3-1 victory at Chelsea to book their own semi-final place, created their first opening on 18 minutes when Leo Black curled an effort wide.

They also had a good chance to break the deadlock when full-back James Rowswell honed in on goal only for Ben Barclay to superbly snuff out the effort.

The high-octane game was rewarded with its first goal on 29 minutes when a cleverly disguised quick corner was swung into the box by Albion skipper Josh Robertson. The Spurs rearguard failed to clear, leaving Noel Atom to fire into the roof of the net from close range.

With their tails up, Oriola also flashed an effort wide for the Seagulls while Reiss Russell-Denny did the same at the other end.

Two of Albion's scorers Noel Atom and Kofi Shaw celebrate the win over Tottenham. Photo: Simon Roe

Albion almost capped a dominant opening 45 minutes with a second goal on the stoke of half-time when Howell's deft curling effort came back off a post. The ball fell to Oriola who blazed his effort agonisingly high over the bar.

A second goal did arrive 11 minutes after the restart when a long ball forward from keeper Steven Hall was met by Oriola, who found himself in acres of space on the left flank. He then sent a delightful low ball into the box which the onrushing Nti swept home unmarked.

The two-goal cushion lasted just three minutes when Barclay brought down Spurs striker Mason Melia inside the box. Referee Craig Hicks pointed to the spot and Melia dusted himself down to fire home.

Barclay was in the thick of the action and saw a close-range header beaten out by Spurs keeper Carey Bloedorn soon after.

Harry Howell holds off his marker to burst forward. Photo: Simon Roe

Albion scored the all-important third on 79 minutes when a Howell corner was met at the far post by Atom, who headed the ball back into the danger zone. Substitute Callum Mackley got a flick on before fellow substitute Shaw nodded the ball over the line.

Try as they might, Spurs could not get a foothold back in the game, leaving the Seagulls to celebrate reaching the final against a United side that beat Manchester City 4-3 on the same night.

Details of the final venue and date will be released in due course.

Albion: Hall, Albarus, Barclay, Atom, Keogh, Silsby (West) 89, Middleton, Robertson (Mackley 64), Howell, Oriola, Nti (Shaw 72). Subs not used: Jensen, Belmont.