West Ham United's youngsters are through to the semi finals of the Premier League Cup after beating Manchester United in a thrilling quarter final tie on penalties.
The Hammers - who were being watched by first team Head Coach Graham Potter and his team - progress to the last four after winning the shootout 4-3, after the match ended as a stalemate at 2-2.The visitors had taken the lead as early as the 11th minute , when Tyler Fletcher converted a Jimmy Thwaites corner with his head. However the young Hammers were level four minutes ahead of the half time interval when the prolific Josh Ajala levelled, having been set up by Sowunmi.
The Hammers took the lead for the first time on the day just two minutes after the restart as Gabriel Caliste added the finishing touch to a fine move involving Ajala and Sowunmi, who had both combined for West Ham's equaliser.
But it was to last for just four minutes. with Scanlon finding the net after being sent though on goal by goalscorer Fletcher.
Ezra says no way through 🚫 pic.twitter.com/IuPiN4o9ti
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2025
No more goals were to follow, but that was largely thanks to an incredible piece of defending from Ezra Mayers who, in the 87th minute, raced back to make a last-ditch tackle after two Man Utd players had broken the offside trap.
Mayers' remarkable challenge ensured the game was to head into extra time, but with neither side managing to break the deadlock in the additional 30 minutes, spot kicks were required to separate the two teams.
After Thwaites had put the visitors 1-0 ahead, Sowunmi saw his effort fly wide of its intended target. Scanlon's well-struck effort put Man Utd 2-0 ahead and seemingly on course for the semis.
The spot kick that secured our ticket to the semis 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/XM6YoCg6Ax
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2025
Ajala and Golambeckis registered for the Hammers with Fitzgerald notching for the visitors, leaving West Ham trailing 3-2 - at which point Lanre saved the next spot kick, meaning it was all square again.
Adiele then made it 3-3 with one spot kick each to take - and Fletcher stepped up to restore the visitors' lead. But Riley Hargen's effort found the net, sending the tie into sudden death with the score locked at 4-4.
Louie Bradbury was next up for the Red Devils, but skied his effort over the bar - leaving Chinaza Nwosu to fire home the winning penalty that sent the young Hammers into the semi finals of the competition.
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