Teenager Josh Ayala scored twice on his full professional debut as West Ham recovered from an early setback to beat Championship rivals Southampton 4-1 and reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo made eight changes to the side beaten at home by Charlton on Saturday, including four teenagers and three players aged 20. The selection appeared to underline that a cup run was not his main priority, but West Ham eventually produced a convincing second-half response.
Southampton made the quicker start and went ahead after only 10 minutes. Tom Fellows delivered a looping cross from the right, but West Ham failed to clear the ball beyond the edge of the penalty area. Leo Scienza collected it under pressure, remained composed and placed a controlled finish into the far bottom corner.
The hosts continued to threaten and came close to extending their advantage in the 21st minute. Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, however, was forced into an excellent one-handed save to deny Joel Piroe from close range.
West Ham had struggled to impose themselves during the opening period, yet they found an equaliser four minutes before half-time. Lewis Orford sent a corner into the area and Peretz failed to deal with the delivery, allowing 19-year-old Ayala to head the visitors level.
The forward then completed a remarkable debut by putting West Ham ahead eight minutes after the interval. Jack Stephens was punished for poor defending, with Ayala taking advantage before firing beyond Peretz from eight yards.
Southampton were unable to recover as West Ham became increasingly clinical in front of goal. With 15 minutes remaining, Taty Castellanos finished off a low cross from Joel Veltman to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
Jarrod Bowen completed the scoring in the 84th minute, securing a 4-1 victory and sending West Ham into the third round.
The result ended Southampton’s run of home matches without defeat, with the Saints suffering their first loss at their own stadium since 17 January. West Ham, meanwhile, overcame an early deficit despite Santo’s heavily rotated team, with Ayala’s two goals proving decisive in a match that changed direction before half-time.
