Crystal Palace U21s 1-5 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, VBS Stadium, Monday 18 December, 7pm GMT
Five second-half goals saw West Ham United U21s come from behind to beat Crystal Palace U21s 5-1 on Monday evening.
The Hammers trailed after Jack Wells-Morrison converted a penalty on 22 minutes but responded after the break for their seventh PL2 win of the season.
Kaelan Casey headed home a sweet inswinging corner to start the comeback, before Callum Marshall put the Hammers ahead from the penalty spot with his 16th PL2 goal of the season.
George Earthy found the bottom corner to make it 3-1 and completed the Hammers’ third goal in just seven second-half minutes.
Wells-Morrison was then sent off for dissent after the hour to allow Steve Potts’ men complete control of the fixture.
The victory was made even sweeter when Conor Coventry struck a stunning fourth from distance with a drilled first-time effort.
Marshall then created West Ham’s fifth late on as a stunning break left Gideon Kodua with a tap-in.
The U21s moved 16 games unbeaten in all competitions and sit second in Premier League 2.
They head into 2024 full of confidence.
West Ham United U21s starting XI: Knightbridge, Moore (Robinson 75), Casey, Forbes, Luizão (Laing 83), Scarles (Clayton 79), Coventry, Kelly (Orford 46), Kodua, Marshall, Earthy
Subs not used: Terry (GK)
Goals: Casey 51, Marshall 55, Earthy 58, Coventry 75, Kodua 90+1
Booked: Coventry, Luizão, Forbes
Sean Moore makes first PL2 start in win!
The Hammers squad has more than played their part across the first half of the season, with Sean Moore impressing on his first Premier League 2 start.
A five-star showing against Palace moved the U21s 16 games unbeaten as they concluded 2023 in style.
Moore was delighted to play his part in a London derby win and was proud of the performance West Ham showed in the second half.
“It’s good to change positions and try a different role,” he explained, on being deployed at right wing-back. “I can cut inside and get at people, and I think it was a really good win from the boys.
“The message ahead of the second half was to go out and get a goal early on and we will win the game. Our goal was quick after half-time, and we just continued that to get the win.”
Moore signed from NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville over the summer, arriving on a three-year professional contract until June 2026.
The young Hammer has enjoyed his first six months with the Club and is excited to push on in 2024.
He added: “I’ve loved being at West Ham since the first day! I have settled in very well because there are a lot of boys from Northern Ireland who have helped that.
“The group has been amazing, and I think we can do special things. It was tough [making the move to Academy football in England] and tonight was my first start.
“I have been patient and waited my time so hopefully there is more to come.”
Prenderville pleased with squad performance against Palace
Assistant coach Gerard Prenderville could not pick a player of the match against Crystal Palace.
The 15 players involved battled their way to a stunning win, with each as impactful as the next. Prenderville has little to complain about, as a result.
He explained: “Everyone has played their part and I want to emphasise that it has been everyone [who has helped this unbeaten run]. Between now and August, the whole group has played a role.
“Players that have started and players that come into the team and the impact of substitutes [has been huge to this success].”
Prenderville was particularly pleased with the way the U21s responded to falling behind after the break.
The second-half performance was almost flawless. The Hammers clicked into gear and five different players in Claret and Blue found the net. In truth, 5-1 could have been seven or eight.
“The players knew at half-time, that we didn’t quite get it right,” Prenderville stated. “We just reiterated what was needed from the players, both in and out of possession.
“I think being a bit more ruthless helped and that when we attack, we commit. The energy and the way we came out in the second half was a huge difference.
“We did what we worked on all week and once it clicked we got the win. I think it really clicked in the second half.”
Up Next
West Ham United U21s will return to competitive action in 2024.
The young Irons play Wycombe Wanderers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy last 16 on Tuesday 9 January, with kick-off set for 7pm.
