Alex Pritchard and Dean Parrett grabbed the headlines as Tottenham's Under-21 side moved to the top of the table with a convincing 6-0 rout of Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The inaugural Under-21 Premier League season is viewed as a way to give young players a chance to catch the eye and push for first team action, whilst also offering experienced players a chance to regain their fitness when returning from injury.

Alex Pritchard
Pritchard in action for the Tottenham NextGen side [NextGen]

Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna recently used the competition to get some valuable playing time under their belts, but Tottenham have primarily used the league as a way to test their best young players.

Andros Townsend and Ryan Mason have both featured in the Tottenham first team squad this season, while the likes of Pritchard, Parrett and Jonathan Obika are all hoping to catch the eye of Andre Villas-Boas.

It was Mason that opened the scoring, coolly slotting home a penalty in the 17<sup>th minute, before Cristian Ceballos grabbed the second, just weeks after scoring a hat-trick in the same competition.

An excellent finish from former QPR trainee Parrett followed, while Pritchard curled home a free-kick from all of 20 yards as he once again outlined his potential and ability on the ball.

Parrett, 20, has previously been sent on four loan spells away from White Hart Lane but will be hoping his impressive displays in the centre of midfield for the youth side can help him emulate Jake Livermore and push for a place in the first team squad.

Pritchard has also been making waves in the Spurs youth sides as he scored two impressive goals for the NextGen side just a matter of weeks ago when they secured a 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg.

The 19-year-old was a danger throughout in the wide areas and he helped Tottenham get their fifth when he set up Jonathan Obika, before the striker completed the rout late on with a superb solo effort.

Tottenham's senior professional phase coach Chris Ramsey was particularly impressed with Pritchard and Parrett, and is pleased that they see the competition as a way of pushing for first team action.

"We're delighted to have players like Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend with us, they've both been in the first team squad recently and their attitude when they play for the development squad is perfect, especially when we have younger players aspiring to do what they've done. Dean Parrett and Alex Pritchard were equally exceptional," Ramsey told Tottenham's official website.

"We have a high standard at the club and the players are doing their best to impress. They are allowed to express themselves and some have broken into the first team - that's what we're here to do."