In the end, it took the exuberance of youth to spark West Ham United’s season into life.
After the 4-1 victory over Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo watched on like a proud father when youngsters Joshua Ajala, 19, Airidas Golambeckis, 18, Lewis Orford, 20, Finlay Herrick, 20, Ezra Mayers, 19, and Divine Mukasa, 19, were serenaded by the away enclosure at St Mary’s Stadium.
Following disappointing performances against Burnley and Charlton Athletic, Nuno’s side needed to produce a positive display. But he opted against naming a strong starting XI like in the previous round against Portsmouth. Instead, Nuno fielded six academy graduates, with forward Ajala, who scored twice, making his full debut. So did defender Golambeckis and third-choice goalkeeper Herrick. Midfielder Orford, who registered two assists, made his third start of the season, defender Mayers made his first first-team appearance since April, while attacking midfielder Mukasa made his first start since rejoining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
A seventh academy player in Kaelan Casey also featured when he made a late cameo in added time. In total, five members — Herrick, Mukasa, Orford, Casey and Ollie Scarles — of the FA Youth Cup-winning side from 2023 featured in the matchday squad against Southampton.
West Ham have always prided themselves on being the Academy of Football, and this was that nickname turning into reality.
It was West Ham’s biggest away win in the League Cup since their 5-1 win over Walsall in September 1967. West Ham could have capitulated after Leo Scienza’s opener for Southampton in the tenth minute, but the youngsters showed they were not overawed by the occasion.
“It was a top team performance,” Mukasa told The Athletic. “We came here, did what we needed to do and I think we just need to build on this momentum now. I’m happy and buzzing for Josh, obviously (scoring) two goals. He usually plays as a striker, so he knows how to score goals, which he showed today, but also on the wing, he’s good in one-v-one situations. It was a top performance from Lewis (Orford), from minute one to the end of the game.
“It was so good (for the academy players to be given a chance). Especially today, there were a lot of players that I grew up playing with. It was good to share the pitch with all of them and get the win. We’ve grown up playing with each other since pre-academy days, so it’s really special to show that to everyone. I think that’s exactly what we showed (being the Academy of Football). Young players can go out there and play well.”
Before the closure of the transfer window on September 1, the youngsters showed they are worthy of a role in the club’s push for immediate promotion to the Premier League. Orford assisted Ajala and club captain Jarrod Bowen. Golambeckis did not look out of place alongside Max Kilman. Herrick showed great character to play the full match despite nursing a knock to his right calf.
The desire and dedication were in huge contrast to that shown by the quartet of Jean-Clair Todibo, Maxwel Cornet, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Edson Alvarez, who were again not named in the squad as they seek exits. Fellow wantaway Soungoutou Magassa was an unused substitute and did not join in the post-match celebrations, having headed straight down the tunnel.
Nuno and West Ham have had a difficult start to the season (James Fearn/Getty Images)
But of the many players to seize their opportunity, Ajala, who signed a contract extension in March, showed why he deserves more game time. Having been an unused substitute against Burnley and Charlton, the attacker scored his first senior goal in the 41st minute. He also showed great awareness for his second goal when he capitalised on Jack Stephens’ misplaced clearance.
Ajala, a prolific scorer for the academy, was on the cusp of scoring his first hat-trick since a youth league fixture against Crystal Palace Under-18 in May 2024. But Nuno substituted the youngster in the 59th minute for Manor Solomon.
“This is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time, so it’s just a surreal moment to score twice on my first start,” Ajala told West Ham’s official website. “In training, when we’ve had to work on set-pieces, the coach has just told me to lurk around the back post. When I saw Lewis (Orford) put a good ball in, I just had to keep my eye on it, just to make sure it goes in the net. Then for the second, it was just following in the box when Divine’s ball was going and just being calm and convinced that I could convert the opportunity.”
Goals from second-half substitutes Taty Castellanos and Bowen sealed the win after the break. Castellanos was embraced by supporters when he ran towards them during his celebration. Mukasa joined in and was also mobbed by fans. The midfielder’s performance was impressive considering he is not fully fit, having not featured in any of Manchester City’s pre-season games. Nuno switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation against Southampton and Mukasa will hope to play a prominent role as a No 10 in forthcoming fixtures at Watford and when West Ham host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County.
“For me (my performance), is just something to build on,” said Mukasa. “I didn’t play many games in the summer so I’m just looking forward to building on it. I love the fan base. I grew up going to games so I know what it means to them. It was good to see them all so happy (after Castellanos’ goal). It’s definitely special being back. The ambitions of the club are really high. I‘m really looking forward to being a part of it.”
On Tuesday night, the Academy of Football lived up to its name — and gave West Ham hope for the season ahead.
