A valiant first-half performance gave way to a subdued second for West Ham United U23s on Monday afternoon, as Manchester City U23s raced clear to a 5-0 win.
The Hammers got off to a poor start against Premier League 2 leaders Manchester City U23s at the City Football Academy, with Cole Palmer drifting in behind and finishing neatly from the angle to give the hosts the lead with less than two minutes played.
Despite coming into the game at opposite ends of the table, however, West Ham’s U23s were not bowed and had much the better of the first half, pressing high and coming close to creating some promising opportunities.
In the end, however, City's strength overall told, with further goals stemming in the second half from Palmer - who went on to complete a hat-trick - Liam Delap and a Joshua Okotcha own-goal.
Watch the highlights from the City Academy Stadium above.
