West Ham United's Under-18s booked their place in the final of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 24 years with a 6-1 win over Southampton at the London Stadium.
Divin Mubama opened the scoring after ten minutes with Callum Marshall adding a second minutes later. Mubama got his second in the second half, with Dominic Ballard pulling a goal back shortly after, only for captain Gideon Kodua to get a fourth for West Ham with just over 20 minutes to go. Mubama completed his hat-trick to seal victory before Fawunmi added a sixth.
As West Ham set up a first Youth Cup final since 1999, where they will face Arsenal, here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ Under-18s against Southampton.
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Mason Terry
Although West Ham dominated the game at times, goalkeeper Mason Terry was still forced into action on a couple of occasions in the first half, keeping out efforts from from Sonnie Davies among others. Forced into an excellent second half stop to tip over a Tyler Dibling header, but was unable to keep a clean sheet when Ballard, who has scored at senior level this season, converted from close range in the second half. Probably deserved a shutout for the saves he made, which proved crucial in the second half when West Ham became even more ruthless. 7
Ryan Battrum
West Ham's hero in the quarter-finals at Ipswich Town was Ryan Battrum, who came off the bench in midfield to add a goal and assist in the win at Portman Road. Starting at right-back, Battrum provided the assist for Marshall to make it 2-0 with a cross that teed up the Northern Irish forward excellently. Made a few good defensive interventions, although would have felt disappointed to see Jayden Meghoma get the better of him in the build-up to Saints' goal. His early assist did however help set a good tempo for the Hammers. 7
Kaelan Casey
Centre-back Kaelan Casey is one of three players in the team that thrashed Southampton that have played senior minutes this season, having made his first-team debut in Romania against FCSB in the Europa Conference League. Made a number of big defensive impacts to limit the chances Southampton did have when going forward, could tell he has been used to playing Under-21s football regularly this season. Met a couple of set-pieces, but could not quite get the needed contact on them. Led the back line very well on the whole. 7
Regan Clayton
More used to playing as a wing-back or full-back, Regan Clayton partnered Casey in the middle of the back four. Showed good defensive resolve to make some early clearances and generally, he just positioned himself well and played on the front foot to get at Southampton's players. A very solid performance. 7
Ollie Scarles
Ollie Scarles started at left-back and again, like Casey, was one of three players in the starting side with senior experience having featured against FCSB in November. Early on, he showed good progress in his running and some good interchanging passing with Marshall to get himself forward and make things happen, seeing a low cross cut out. Remained a good outlet and okay display, although he was less effective in the second half. 6
Lewis Orford
Midfielder Lewis Orford was excellent in the middle of the park. Came close to a goal of his own in the first half with a long range strike that forced Mohamed Adli into action. His passing and reading of the game was excellent, quickly turning defence into attack to spray a pass out to Kodua, who cut inside and wrapped and stunning curling effort past Adli to make it 4-1. An excellent showing. 8
Patrick Kelly
Having missed the quarter-final win at Ipswich due to injury, Patrick Kelly was back in the side in the heart of midfield and showed what they had missed. Great tenacity and ability to cut out Southampton's midfield multiple times, making a few big tackles and clever dribbles and passes to start moves for the Hammers. 8
George Earthy
Midfielder George Earthy was his ever classy self, quick passing and clever feet in intricate areas helped the Hammers unlock Southampton's players and see gaps form. Made a great run and his shot lead to a save that allowed Mubama to pounce and get his third goal. Ever-impressive in attacking areas. 8
Gideon Kodua
West Ham's captain was excellent in attacking areas. His cross for Mubama opened the scoring and the two combined for again for Mubama's second, with his interception and ball through being latched on to by Mubama, who slotted comfortably. Got a deserved goal of his own to make it 4-1 when his run was picked out by Orford, cutting inside and unleashing an excellent strike to hot to handle. 9
Divin Mubama (Star man)
Who else but Mubama? He has four first-team appearances and a senior goal to his name and looked like a man in boy's football against Saints. Opened the scoring on ten minutes, flicking in Kodua's cross. Got his second when going through one on one, against via Kodua, to poke the ball past Adli. Sealed a hat-trick when Earthy's shot was spilled and Mubama fired home and almost had a fourth late on, seeing a volley saved well. He is on 29 goals for the under-21s and under-18s combined since his senior debut in Romania in November, eight of which have been in the Youth Cup. 9
Callum Marshall
Marshall unleashed a brilliantly drilled effort to make it 2-0 early in the game and remained a threat throughout down the left side, interchanging with Kodua down the flanks. His spilled shot late on was also the source of Fawunmi making it 6-1. He may not have had a senior chance yet, but has constantly been knocking on the door and has scored plenty of goals for the under-18s this term. A big asset for Kevin Keen's side. 7
Substitutes
Sean Tarima
The Hammers defender, who started the quarter-final win over Ipswich Town, was thrown into the tie with around 15 minutes to go, replacing Kelly. 5
Dan Rigge
Came on with minutes to spare alongside Fawunmi. N/A
Favour Fawumni
Just seconds after coming on, Fawumni latched on to a spilled Marshall shot to bang the final nail in the coffin. N/A
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