Dan Chesters was pleased with the professional performance that West Ham United U21s were able to produce in their penultimate Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture of the campaign.
The 21-year-old helped the young Hammers to a 2-0 victory over already relegated Leicester City on Friday evening, which has greatly boosted their odds of avoiding relegation from the top flight of U21s football.
George Earthy and Divin Mubama got the goals inside the first 20 minutes in east London to set the side on their way to picking up an important three points.
The result puts the Hammers eleventh in the 14-team league, three points above next week’s opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, and ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference.
And Chesters says that the U21s have given themselves the best possible chance of avoiding relegation after the victory over the Foxes.
“It was a really important win,” he told whufc.com at the full-time whistle.
“We got the two goals early on in the first half, and the chat that we had at half time was just about making sure that we saw the game out and got the three points.
“I thought it was quite comfortable throughout the second half. Perhaps we weren’t at the same level as we were in the first, but we were able to limit Leicester to very little in the way of chances and that was really pleasing.”
Mark Robson’s side knew coming into the game against Leicester that a victory would give them the best possible chance heading into the final day, and after going two ahead there was an air of confidence in the way the team moved the ball around.
Indeed, the only criticism of a solid first half display would have been that the Hammers didn’t score more.
“Confidence was high after going two up,” Chesters explained. “We played some good stuff out there, particularly in the first half. We should have really been coming in at the break with a couple more, but we’re pleased with the win, which puts us in a good place heading into Sunday’s game against Tottenham.
“It takes a little bit of the pressure off us going into that game. We’ve done everything that we can tonight, so let’s see what Sunday brings and how other results go.”
Chesters says that it’s nice to know that everything is in the U21s hands heading into the season finale against their London rivals, who will know that a win is the only result that will keep them in the division for next season.
“We have to go into the game knowing that we aren’t safe yet. We still need to go out there and get the job done and that has to be the focus.
“Tottenham will be a tough test, but knowing everything is in your own hands will help, and it will make things easier on Sunday."
