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West Ham hit back from a goal down to claim their first FA Youth Cup crown in 24 years after a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates.
A stunning 40-yard finish from Irons captain Gideon Kodua was the highlight of a one-sided final for Kevin Keen’s all-conquering youngsters who completed a league and cup double.
Kodua said: “It was a good game and I think our boys are just a special group, really.
“The work-rate on the pitch and off the pitch is unbelievable and that’s how you get here and win the cup.
“God has done so much for me and there is more to come from me and all of us, from the whole team, so we’re just going to keep beating people.”
West Ham sold out their 7,000-ticket allocation for the match and the supporters were in good voice.
Kodua said: “It sounded like there were 20,000 there. I would just to thank the fans for coming.
“They were amazing, especially when we scored, and their emotion was just flowing all over the pitch.”
Omari Benjamin had given the Gunners’ Under-18s a seventh-minute lead but George Earthy levelled just after the quarter-mark with a fizzing strike from the edge of the box.
Within two minutes the Hammers were ahead through Callum Marshall, who coolly netted from Kodua’s wide ball into the area, before the West Ham skipper scored the goal of the game.
Arsenal defender Josh Robinson mis-controlled a pass on halfway which allowed Kodua to steal in and stride forward before expertly chipping over stranded Arsenal goalkeeper Noah Cooper from 40 yards out.
Although Arsenal battled to get back into the game through most of the second half, Kaelan Casey extended West Ham’s lead after 79 minutes by heading home from Ollie Scarles’ corner.
Substitute Josh Briggs made a late appearance as West Ham lined up for another corner and had just enough time to shake a few hands of his team-mates before connecting with the cross to score with his first touch and rubber-stamp an emphatic victory.
The last time West Ham went all the way in this competition was in 1999, when a team containing Joe Cole and Michael Carrick thrashed Coventry 9-0 over two legs.
