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West Ham struck back from a goal down to claim their first FA Youth Cup crown in 24 years after a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Arsenal in the final.
Omari Benjamin gave the Gunners’ under-18s a seventh-minute lead at the Emirates Stadium, but George Earthy equalized just after quarter mark with a bubbly shot from the edge of the box.
Two minutes later, the Hammers took the lead through Callum Marshall, who coolly netted a Gideon Kodua ball into the box before the provider turned goalscorer moments before halftime.
Josh Robinson miscontrolled a pass midway through which allowed Kodua to steal, and the West Ham striker blasted past Arsenal goalkeeper Noah Cooper from 40 yards out.
Kaelan Casey extended West Ham’s lead after 79 minutes by heading in from Ollie Scarles’ corner, while substitute Josh Briggs scored with his first touch on the kill to clinch a thumping victory.
The last time West Ham went all the way in this competition was in 1999, when a team including Joe Cole and Michael Carrick thrashed Coventry 9-0 in two legs.
