London loan watch: Tottenham youngster scores screamer and Brentford defender breaks duck

A month into the new season and London’s loan players are starting to settle into their surroundings.While some players are trying to plead their case for minutes, others have already proven their worth.With first impressions out of the way, focus will now turn to getting minutes and making an impact in a bid to impress their parent clubs and secure a first-team future.Standard Sport assesses five performances that stood out from London’s loan contingent…Josh Stephenson nets first senior goalBrentford centre-back Josh Stephenson scored his first senior goal to rescue a stoppage-time point for Crewe Alexandra away to Colchester United.The 20-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise since joining Brentford’s B team from Millwall in November 2024 and has quickly settled into life on loan at Crewe.Stephenson has played every minute of Crewe’s last five league games, helping them stay unbeaten with four draws and one win.Read MoreHis crisp left-footed finish deep into added time capped an excellent performance for the young defender.“I was in the right place at the right time, and I just needed to hit it as sweet as possible,” Stephenson said.“A really proud moment, and some way to do it.”Oliver Irow scores screamerTottenham loanee Oliver Irow got on the scoresheet as Plymouth continued their excellent start to the season with a 3-0 win at home to Barnsley.Picking up the ball under pressure at the edge of the box, Irow thundered a right-footed strike into the top corner to open the scoring within a minute at Home Park.The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Mansfield Town, has started well at Plymouth and is fast becoming a difference maker for the League One side.Irow now has two goals in five appearances for Plymouth, having also scored during their 4-2 defeat to Premier League Coventry City in the Carabao Cup second round.Brentford duo help Portsmouth hold onFew teams have made more use of the Premier League loan market than Portsmouth this season.John Mousinho’s side have borrowed Brentford defenders Jayden Meghoma and Benjamin Arthur to bolster their backline, while also signing 17-year-old Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.Kavuma-McQueen made an immediate impact, scoring his first senior goal in just Portsmouth’s second game of the season away to Bristol City.But against Charlton, it was all about Meghoma and Arthur as the pair started together to help Portsmouth earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Valley.Arthur, in particular, shone as he warded off wave after wave of Charlton attacks. The 20-year-old produced more clearances than any other player and did not commit a single foul.Yusuf Akhamrich continues his superb start to seasonLeyton Orient have always enjoyed a strong relationship with their north London neighbours Tottenham, famously helping aid the development of Harry Kane.Spurs view Leyton Orient as a good club for young players to spread their wings, and it is why they entrusted them with 21-year-old midfielder Yusuf Akhamrich.After a productive loan spell at League Two Bristol Rovers last season, Akhamrich has stepped up a division this year but has shown no signs of slowing down.The Moroccan youth international has three goals and three assists in six league appearances for Leyton Orient and grabbed a pair of assists as they were ultimately beaten 3-2 at home to Wycombe Wanderers over the weekend.A dangerous inswinging cross, headed into his own net by Wycombe captain Jack Grimmer, drew Leyton Orient level in the 37th minute before he repeated the trick again as he crossed with his left foot for Jaze Kabia to reduce the deficit to 3-2 after 52 minutes.A disappointing result, but another impressive display from Akhamrich, who is quickly making a name for himself.Aaron Loupalo-Bi stakes claim for starting berthAaron Loupalo-Bi has yet to play 100 league minutes for Fleetwood Town but already has two goals to his name after scoring in back-to-back games against Shrewsbury and Newport County.The Fulham loanee is starting to find his feet in front of goal and has given Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor plenty to ponder.Climbing off the bench in the 63rd minute, it took Loupalo-Bi just five minutes to make an impact, stabbing home from close range to bring Fleetwood level.If he keeps up this form, it won’t be long until the 20-year-old gets his chance in the starting lineup.