Chelsea U21 go top of the league as they beat the Hammers

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Ole Saue reports from the all-London clash…

West Ham U21s were beaten 3-1 at the Rush Green Stadium by Chelsea in newly appointed boss Steve Potts’ first game in charge on Friday night.

An early goal from Kasey Palmer put the Blues one up which was followed by two from Dominic Solanke as West Ham stay bottom.

The Blues dominated the early stages and only took five minutes for Palmer to net his third goal in three games. The striker headed the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel after a well-placed Charly Musonda cross from the right.

Six minutes later, Palmer tested the West Ham goalkeeper, but the Swiss saved his effort from 20 yards. West Ham skipper Josh Cullen should have levelled for the hosts in the 23rd minute but he headed wide from 10 yards.

Just before half time, Solanke managed to score two goals in four minutes to put the Blues in total control; the first coming in the 44th minute after he picked up Isaiah Brown’s deflected shot to turn it in past Spiegel and added another in added time of the first half after the 17-year-old went in one-on-one with the goalkeeper before placing the ball low into the bottom corner.

Minutes into the second half, Sebastian Lletget reduced the deficit with a lovely volley after a cross from Djair Parfitt-Williams from close range, but that would be it for the goals as the Blues cruised through the rest of the half.

The Hammers now play Southampton’s youngsters at Southampton training ground on Monday.

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