Report & Reaction | U21s’ inspired second-half comeback earns victory over Mönchengladbach

West Ham United U21s 3-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach II
Premier League International Cup Group B Chigwell Construction Stadium, Tuesday 10 December 2024, 7pm GMT

West Ham United U21s delivered an inspired second-half performance to overturn a first-half deficit and secure a 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach II in their final Premier League International Cup group game at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Goals from Lewis Orford, Luizão, and Kamarai Swyer sealed the Hammers’ first win since September, keeping their very slim qualification hopes alive.

The visitors began the match brightly, with plenty of attacking intent from the outset. Noah Pesch and Shio Fukuda combined dangerously in the opening exchanges, while Fritz Fleck tested Fin Herrick with a speculative long-range effort. West Ham responded well; Junior Robinson coming close in the eighth minute after a clever ball from Orford, only for goalkeeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso to make a slightly awkward save to keep it goalless.

As both teams exchanged blows in a fast-paced first half, Mönchengladbach grew into the game. Their breakthrough came in the 26th minute when Jonathan Foss’ excellent ball over the top found Fleck. The winger weaved past Luizão and Kaelan Casey before firing into the far corner to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Despite their recent struggles, the young Hammers did not let their heads drop. Ryan Battrum nearly equalised just four minutes later, meeting Ollie Scarles’ pinpoint cross with a towering header that went over the bar. Despite their persistence though, West Ham went into the break trailing 1-0.

Mark Robson’s side emerged from the tunnel reinvigorated, making two attacking substitutions that paid immediate dividends. Just four minutes into the second half, West Ham leveled through Lewis Orford. Pressing high, the Hammers forced a turnover, and after clever interplay between Battrum and Sean Tarima, Swyer then flicked Tarima’s into the path of Orford who slotted a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner.