West Ham United U18s (5) 2-2 (4) Manchester United U18s (West Ham win on penalties)
Premier League U18s Cup Quarter-Final, Rush Green Stadium, Tuesday 4 February 2025, 11am GMT
West Ham United U18s secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Manchester United U18s to progress to the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup.
Tyler Fletcher gave the visitors an early lead, but goals from Josh Ajala and Gabriel Caliste either side of half-time put the Hammers ahead before a James Scanlon equaliser just minutes later forced extra-time and penalties. The hosts held their nerve in the shootout, converting five out of their six penalties to seal the win.
The young Hammers, watched on by Graham Potter and his coaching staff, started brightly and enjoyed sustained spells of possession. Despite this, it was Manchester United who struck first after ten minutes when a flick on from a corner fell kindly for Fletcher to finish from close range.
West Ham responded well by dominating the first half, with their pressure paying off in the 41st minute when Jethro Medine’s cutback found Elisha Sowunmi, who teed up Ajala to slot into the bottom corner.
The hosts carried their momentum into the second half, taking the lead just two minutes after the restart. Ajala burst forward and fed Sowunmi, whose precise cutback was turned in by Caliste with the faintest of touches across the 'keeper, beating him at the far post.
Fine finishing from Ajala and Caliste ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/nHlSZFQS0g
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2025
The celebrations were short lived however as Manchester United hit back almost immediately. With a clever ball from deep, Fletcher played in Scanlon, who fired low past Lanre Awesu to level the tie once again.
Both sides had chances to win it in normal time but it was West Ham who remained on top. Ajala’s powerful strike midway through the second half forced a fine save from William Murdock who tipped the half volley over the bar.
The young Hammers had a close call minutes from full-time after a counterattack from the away side with Fitzgerald finding himself through one on one. With more than 30 yards to make up, Ezra Mayers came from nowhere lunging in with an incredible last-ditch challenge, preventing what could have been a winning goal. Even later, Ajala was denied by a fingertip save from Murdock.
Ezra says no way through 🚫 pic.twitter.com/IuPiN4o9ti
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2025
Extra-time saw the Hammers continue to create openings. Substitute Andre Dike went close after being slipped through by captain Preston Fearon, while an effort from Sowunmi went just over the bar.
A tense shootout followed, with both teams scoring four out of their five spot kicks. A brilliant save from Lanre Awesu, reaching low to his right to save Victor Musa's penalty, sent the shootout to sudden death. Manchester United’s Louie Bradbury fired over, giving Chinaza Nwosu the opportunity to book the Hammers' spot in the semi-finals. Nwosu made no mistake, smashing home the decisive penalty, sparking wild celebrations as his teammates charged towards him, as they secured their spot in the Premier League Cup semi-finals.
West Ham United U18s: Awesu, Medine (Hargan 111), Adiele, Mayers, Oyebade, Golambeckis, Kamara (Nwosu 76), Fearon ©, Ajala, Caliste (Dike 76), Sowunmi
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Balogun
Goals: Ajala 41, Caliste 47
Booked: Adiele, Sowunmi, Ajala
Penalty takers: Sowunmi (missed) Ajala, (scored), Golambeckis (scored), Adiele (scored), Hargan (scored), Nwosu (scored)
Manchester United U18s: Murdock, Kamason, Mills (Armer 90), Munro ©, Kukonki (Plunkett 90), Fletcher, Scanlon, Fitzgerald, Musa, Bailey (Bradbury 99), Thwaites
Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes (GK), Shah
Goals: Fletcher 10, Scanlon 50
Penalty takers: Thwaites (scored), Scanlon (scored), Fitzgerald (scored), Musa (saved), Fletcher (scored), Bradbury (missed)
