West Ham United Under-21s threw away a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Rush Green in the Premier League 2.
Early first half goals at Rush Green from midfielder Pierre Ekwah and striker Divin Mubama put the hosts in a commanding position, only for Joe Hugill to get the visitors back into the game from the penalty spot before Marc Jurado and Sonny Aljofree scored at corners.
Here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the young Red Devils.
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Krisztian Hegyi
Goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi had a pretty good first half display, although he was not tested a lot, looking commanding in his box when coming out to the Red Devils' crosses. Could hardly be blamed for conceding Hugill's penalty, which sent him the wrong way. Hegyi did make a really good stop minutes later when United pushed for an equaliser, only for the visitors to get exactly that shortly after when Jurado netted at the end of a corner. Will be disappointed to have conceded three, considering the number of shots he faced. 6
Kaelan Casey
Centre-back Kaelan Casey started the game on the right side of a back three and was forced into an early clearance before West Ham got two quick-fire goals. Helped to keep United's forward line quiet in the first half but was surprsingly taken off shortly after Man United got their first goal back. 7
Levi Laing
Levi Laing played at the heart of the back line and like Casey, was forced into a couple of big clearances. Did not do a lot wrong in the first half, but the visitors were too comfortable in the second half and were able to attack West Ham's defence too easily. 6
Luizao
Brazillian centre-back Luizao made his full debut on the left side of the three-man defence after his move from Sao Paulo was made official 19 days ago. Defended well at first, but saw one of his passes miss their intended target. Made one excellent challenge seconds into the second half. A solid first full showing. 6
Junior Robinson
Junior Robinson played as a right wing-back in the game and did okay, winning a few fouls in the first half as he attempted to cause problems going forward out wide. Struggled in the second half, like several others in a proper 'game of two halves' showing. 6
Freddie Potts
Freddie Potts formed a good partnership in the middle of midfield with Ekwah in the first half, with both moving the ball quickly, as well as doing well to win it back off their opponents. While Ekwah's departure at half-time changed the game, Potts did at times still manage to display a range of passing. 7
Pierre Ekwah (Star man)
Midfielder Pierre Ekwah has been the subject of loan interest from Sunderland this week, but despite reports claiming the midfielder had agreed a deal to join the Championship side, he started in the heart of midfield. Was excellent early on to start a great move, exchanging passes with Mubama before finishing across the goalkeeper, his fifth goal in 11 Premier League 2 matches this season. Minutes later, he darted down the left before firing in a cross, which Mubama converted. Good going forward and defensively in the first half before coming off at the break. West Ham dropped off significantly after his substitution. 8
Will Greenidge
Will Greenidge started the game as a left wing-back and formed a great partnership with Kamarai Swyer down that side, with the two combining on a few occasions. Moved to right centre-back for most of the second half and still did a solid job defensively. 7
Keenan Appiah-Forson
A mixed game for Keenan Appiah-Forson, who showed some touches of quality in the first half, including one passing move with Swyer that led to Mubama going through on goal. Played the second half in central midfield next to Potts, with the visitors getting control of the centre of the pitch after the break. 6
Kamarai Swyer
Playing off Mubama up front, Swyer showed some real touches of class in the first half, getting out of tight areas and linking up Greenidge and Mubama well, winning fouls and just being a consistent outlet. Almost made it 3-3 late on when seeing a late effort crash off the bar. 7
Divin Mubama
Striker Mubama kept up his hot streak of goals early in the tie, but not before good movement and passing led to Ekwah opening the scoring. Adding West Ham's second minutes after his assist, he converted an Ekwah cross with a first-time finish. Continued to look lively in the first half despite being marked by Di'Shon Bernard, who played 26 Championship games last season for Hull City. Quieter in the second half, but helped hold up the ball well when he could. 8
Substitutes
Dan Chesters
Midfielder Dan Chesters was making his first appearance since returning from a loan spell with Colchester United. Minutes after replacing Ekwah, his foul on Sam Murray led to the penalty scored by Hugill, which the visiting forward took well. 5
Ollie Scarles
Shortly after United pulled a goal back, 17-year-old star Ollie Scarles come on in place of Casey, with West Ham having a reshuffle at the back. Played at left-wing back and put crosses in, but could not get them to a target. 5
Armstrong Okoflex
Like Chesters, it was his first game back from his loan spell at Swansea City, coming on with around ten minutes to go. N/A
Callum Marshall
Callum Marshall came on the dying embers in place of Swyer. Added good tempo and directness. N/A
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