Nuno Espírito Santo admitted West Ham “owe” their supporters after his youthful team delivered a 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton at St Mary’s.
Joshua Ajala scored twice before substitutes Valentín Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen completed West Ham’s biggest away League Cup win for almost 59 years.
Around 3,000 travelling supporters watched six Academy of Football products start the match as Nuno made eight changes following Saturday’s Championship defeat by Charlton.
“We owe them badly,” Nuno told West Ham TV after celebrating with the away end.
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Ajala was joined in the starting XI by Lewis Orford, Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers and Divine Mukasa.
Orford produced an influential midfield performance, while Herrick recovered from conceding after ten minutes to make several important saves during his first senior start.
ReadWestHam awarded Ajala and Orford the highest marks in our West Ham player ratings.
“The young players deserve it,” Nuno added, explaining that performances of this nature provide him with additional solutions across a demanding Championship season.
Ajala took his opportunity by scoring from close range before half-time and adding his second eight minutes after the restart.
Nuno described the 19-year-old as “a boy with quality” but stressed that considerable improvement remains available if the forward stays committed to his development.
Senior quality from the bench then ensured West Ham converted a narrow lead into an emphatic victory.
Castellanos made it 3-1 before Bowen added the fourth, continuing his decisive start to the campaign. Our Southampton 1-4 West Ham match report details how the Hammers recovered from a difficult opening.
Nuno also praised the organisation and togetherness displayed after Southampton’s early goal. West Ham restricted the hosts after settling into the contest and managed the closing stages confidently.
Attention now turns back to the Championship. West Ham travel to Watford on Saturday still searching for their first league victory following a draw at Burnley and defeat by Charlton.
The cup win has given Nuno more selection options—and the response he owed the supporters.
