Report & Reaction: U21s see off Dinamo Zagreb to progress to PL ...

West Ham United U21s 3-0 GNK Dinamo Zagreb U21s Premier League International Cup, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Wednesday 31 January 2024, 7pm GMT  

West Ham United U21s booked their place in the Premier League International Cup knockouts with a comfortable 3-0 win over GNK Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening.    The Hammers’ development side proved too strong for the Croatian outfit, recording a third straight win in all competitions to progress to the quarter-finals.   Luizao headed home a wicked corner from Ollie Scarles after just five minutes to set the Irons' win in motion. A busy first half, though, should have seen West Ham score more.    Divin Mubama had an effort ruled out for offside, while Lewis Orford forced a good save from Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dorian Klarin.   Sean Moore led the charge for the hosts' second and managed to squeeze the ball to Ollie Scarles, who struck wide, although the Hammers were rewarded for their dominance after the break.   Half-time substitute Kamarai Swyer played his part in the next two West Ham goals, with the Irons finding a clinical edge they lacked in the first 45.

Swyer set up Junior Robinson and Moore, who stretched West Ham’s advantage to three with the Hammers striking twice in the first 15 minutes of the second period. Moore has now found the net in successive matches.    Even with a three-goal lead to protect, West Ham pushed for more. Patrick Kelly, Orford, and Swyer all went close to finding a fourth, with Northern Ireland U21 midfielder Kelly denied by a stunning save from Klarin.    The Hammers though kept their third clean sheet of the competition, successfully holding on to another important victory without conceding.    Steve Potts’ side have beaten Celtic, Valencia and Zagreb - and taken a point against Olympique Lyonnais - to reach the next round with ten points from their four group-stage games.    West Ham United U21s: Anang, Robinson, Casey (Tarima), Forbes (c), Luizao (Mayers), Scarles (Clayton), Kelly, Orford (Ajala), Moore, Mubama (Swyer), Earthy Subs not used: Terry (GK), Laing   Goals: Luizao 5, Robinson 49, Moore 58

Defender Ezra Mayers came on for his debut at U21s level in the second half, having signed his first professional contract at West Ham earlier this month.

The 17-year-old - who is a crucial member of the U18s squad - expressed his delight at making the step up, getting a first taste of European competition and ultimately helping the team secure victory and progression in the competition.

"It was a good first experience," Mayers said. "It was nice to play a competitive game for the U21s for the first time.   "It is a big step up from the U18s, and a bit of a different environment. It's good to get those words of advice and encouragement from the senior boys in the group, it helps you a lot.   "I am enjoying my time at the moment and I just want to take every moment as it comes, but it has been an enjoyable start to life in full-time football."   Mayers will return to U18s level this weekend, with Kevin Keen's outfit travelling to Manchester City in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.   He added: "Hopefully we can get a bit of revenge for the FA Youth Cup, and it will be a good challenge for them. We know we can go up against City, and if we play with the belief that we can beat them, I think we can get a result."

West Ham United U21s return to Premier League 2 action against Chelsea on Friday 9 January.    The match will kick off at 7pm at Rush Green Stadium.