Yago Santiago’s close-range strike sent United’s second-string behind at the Lamex Stadium, home of League One side Stevenage, before Jude Soonsup-Bell’s sliding finish doubled Spurs’ advantage before the half-time break.

United’s youngsters recovered from a two-goal deficit against Southampton last week but were unable to repeat a similar feat in Hertfordshire, with strikes from Santiago and Nile John extending Tottenham’s advantage, with James Huntley’s late strike for the young Magpies proving a mere consolation.

Ben Dawson made two changes from the side which claimed a 5-3 win against Southampton last weekend as Joe White, who spent the second-half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at League One side Exeter City, replaced the suspended Nathan Carlyon while Jay Turner-Cooke, who netted a brace from the substitutes’ bench against the Saints, was handed a start in place of Lucas De Bolle.

The young Magpies began the opening stages in positive fashion as Remi Savage, who made his first senior start for the Magpies in a 3-2 pre-season friendly win against Gateshead last month, latched onto Charlie Wiggett’s low cross inside the box but the Liverpool-born defender’s first-time effort was saved by Spurs goalkeeper Josh Keeley before Alex Murphy’s acrobatic rebound was directed over the crossbar.

In the 13th minute, Newcastle fell behind following Santiago’s composed finish as the Spaniard raced into the box and calmly rounding Newcastle goalkeeper Jude Smith before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Alfie Devine almost doubled Spurs’ advantage as the England Under-20 international advanced into a dangerous attacking position before drilling a low effort wide of the left-hand post.

Newcastle pushed forward for an equaliser as Amadou Diallo, who joined the Magpies in October 2022 following a successful trial, collected the ball on the edge of the box following Lewis Miley’s tackle before the left winger drove a powerful effort over the crossbar.

The 20-year-old created another goalscoring opportunity minutes later after latching onto Joe White’s neat pass but skewed his low effort wide of the target.

In the 35th minute, Newcastle were dealt a further blow as Soonsup-Bell extends Spurs’ lead. After Santiago slid a dangerous pass in Jamie Donley’s direction, the Northern Irish forward drilled the ball towards the back post, with Soonsup-Bell on hand to slide the ball into the net.

Turner-Cooke went close to netting his third goal in two Premier League 2 fixtures as the South-Shields-born teenager cut inside from the right wing before his curling shot flew narrowly wide of the target.

In the 52nd minute, Newcastle conceded a third as Santiago netted his second of the afternoon, darting beyond Savage inside the penalty area before lifting the ball over Smith.

John added further misery to Newcastle’s afternoon in the 63rd minute after quickly reacting to Charlie McArthur’s tackle before arrowing the loose ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle pulled a goal back in the latter stages as Huntley, introduced from the substitutes’ bench, scored his first goal at under-21 level. After fellow substitute Ellis Stanton advanced forward before feeding Ben Parkinson, the teenage forward’s floated cross was volleyed home by Huntley at the back post.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith (c), Charlie Wiggett, Charlie McArthur, Remi Savage, Alex Murphy (Jordan Hackett 57), Lewis Miley (James Huntley 64), Jamie Miley, Joe White, Jay Turner-Cooke (Ellis Stanton 64), Amadou Diallo), Ben Parkinson (Cameron Ferguson 80).

Subs not used: Will Brown.

Photograph courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club