As expected, Mark Robson was immensely proud of his side after a 3-2 win over Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
The Blues were unbeaten in the league since August, had four wins in their last five Premier League 2 fixtures, and recorded three clean sheets on the bounce, although West Ham United U21s had other ideas.
While George Earthy put the Irons ahead, and Divin Mubama later struck a brace, it was the character of his side that most impressed the lead coach in a memorable derby win.
The young Irons battled to the very end, the West Ham way.
“We have just hung on in the end, and defended for our lives,” Robson stated. “You've got to find a way to win sometimes, and we did that tonight. The boys really scrapped at the end."
The U21 lead coach was particularly impressed by the clinical finishing the Irons showed to take a 3-1 by the interval.
A well-executed press brought Earthy’s opener, before Mubama took control with two first-half strikes of his own. The No9’s first was a tap-in, the second was class personified. A dummy to free the space behind the defence, before he waited and waited, and then passed the ball home with a neat swing of his left foot.
“His second goal was just Premier League standard,” the U21s’ lead coach enthused, on Mubama’s performance. “It was such a good goal and such a great finish. He's ruthless. Yeah, he’s on a roll for us at the moment, so long may that continue!”
Mubama’s brace might take the plaudits but the performance across the pitch was exceptional. Such depth was shown by the late introduction of Archie Woods, a player who made five tackles in the last few minutes as the Hammers battled for victory. Every player put a shift in and then some.
“I just thought at the back all the boys were good,” Robson added. “Kaelan Casey was outstanding. Levi Laing too. Luizão as well. He has settled into the group and I think he understands how we play now and the passion we play with; tonight, was a good example of that.
“Hegyi was brilliant in goal. I've said to a few boys as a captain you need to be a leader. Sometimes you're a leader in your performances sometimes you're a leader in the way you are and way you communicate with people; tonight, he did both. His saves were of such a high standard."
For Robson and his side, such a response was particularly impressive after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last time out.
“We really believed in the group that we have got,” the lead coach added. “We believe in the way we play, trying to play through the thirds. We've been working really hard around our press. And we've scored a couple of goals in the last two games from winning the ball back really well.
“We’re delighted with the victory and want to continue that now.”
