Tottenham 1 AC Milan 0: Georges-Kevin N’Koudou fires in winner for Spurs at US Bank Stadium

GEORGES-KEVIN N’KOUDOU’S stunning strike ensured Tottenham completed their US pre-season tour with a win.

But it was the academy trio of Oliver Skipp, Luke Amos and George Marsh who stole the show with performances that will give Spurs real encouragement for the future.

The rookies, aged 17, 21 and 19 respectively played with courage, composure and maturity way beyond their years.

And while Tottenham’s recruitment department is under scrutiny after failing to make a signing yet this summer, it is clear their development department is continuing to go from strength to strength.

The spectacular indoor 66,665-seater US Bank Stadium in the heart downtown Minneapolis was less than half full as a crowd of 31,264 turned out for this International Champions Cup clash.

Pochettino made six changes to the side that started against Barcelona in Los Angeles on Sunday, with defender Davinson Sanchez the only first team regular from last season in the XI.

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As Pochettino patrolled the technical area, Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso looked as though he had spent the summer holidaying with Antonio Valencia.

Pot-kettle-black, but the former Rangers midfielder has certainly piled on the pounds since his playing days.

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His centre-back Mateo Musacchio nearly end up with egg on his face in the 26th minute when after receiving a pass out from keeper Pepe Reina deep in his own area he was tacked by Amos and lucky to see the ball trickle wide of an unguarded net.

Amos, who spent last season on loan at Stevenage, has been one of the Spurs successes of this tour.

And the energetic midfielder showed he is not afraid to have a go at goal as his low 25-yard shot forced ex-Liverpool stopper Reina into a low save.

But Milan came back strongly and only a fine stop by Spurs keeper Michel Vorm prevented Patrick Cutrone from heading the San Siro giants in front.

Cutrone then glanced another header wide before another ex-Liverpool man Fabio Borini drilled a cross-cum-shot across the face of the North Londoners’ goal in the 38th minute.

But it was Spurs who took the lead less than 90 seconds into the second half as N’Koudou collected a wayward pass in the Milan half and burst towards goal, holding off a challenge from Musacchio and firing a left-footed into the roof of the net.

It meant sub Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s first task after replacing Reina at half time was to pick the ball out of his own net.

Gattuso’s guys went close to equalising Hakan Calhanoglu’s 25-yard free kick curled just wide of the post.

N’Koudou could have made it 2-0 to Tottenham but after getting in behind the Milan defence he fired his shot from a tight angle straight at Donnarumma’s legs.

Milan should have levelled in stoppage time when Luca Antonelli broke into the box.

All he had to do was square to team-mate Nikola Kalinic for a simple tap-in, but his cross was dreadful and the chance went begging.