West Ham’s youngsters see off Pompey to secure home advantage in next round of the EFL Trophy

Portsmouth missed out on the opportunity to finish top of their EFL Trophy group as they were beaten 1-0 by West Ham Under 21’s.

Kai Corbett scored the only goal of the game inside five minutes to consign Pompey to their first defeat of the competition, but they still progress through after two wins in their first two games.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett made eleven changes from the 3-2 victory at Ipswich Town in the FA Cup and handed out three debuts as he looked to freshen up his side.

The defeat was the first time the club have been beaten in the competition, having won the two previous tournaments.

West Ham Under 21’s took the lead after just four minutes, defender Emmanuel Longelo cut the ball back for Kai Corbett to squeeze in a finish and gave the Young Hammers the advantage.

Jackett’s sides first chance of the evening came on the counter-attack, with youngster Alfie Stanley went through the middle of the pitch before Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila saw his effort well saved by visiting goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

Shortly after, Eoin Teggart played a short free-kick to Harry Kavanagh, before his cross came back to Teggart, but the following ball went out of play.

Pompey’s best chance of the opening exchanges came for Mayifuila after some great footwork on the ball but his goal-bound strike was saved by Trott.

Moments before the break, the League One side had another opportunity, this time James Bolton heading the ball over after Teggart’s corner as they looked to find an equalizer.

The Hammers nearly put themselves into trouble ten minutes into the second interval, Longelo leaving Trott short with a back pass which came after Haji Mnoga’s ball over the top to Kavanagh had too much on it and Trott was able to clear the danger away.

Teggart continued to look dangerous as the second half grew, swinging in a ball from the left flank towards the goal, which Trott had to collect from underneath his crossbar.

The visitors best chance of the second half came through goal scorer Corbett, sending a fast drive at Alex Bass but the goalkeeper was able to gather it at the second attempt.

Moments later, Corbett was again causing more problems, nearly securing the victory as his well-struck effort came back off the crossbar with Bass beaten.

The home side continued to press for a leveler to force extra time but found it difficult to create many clear-cut opportunities as the Hammers saw the game out brilliantly to secure a 1-0 victory.

The draw for the next round is set to take place after next week’s final group games as the final qualification places are settled.

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