On Friday, West Ham United lost their reigning Under-18 top scorer as Elisha Sowunmi crossed the divide and joined Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Less than 24 hours later, though, the club’s current crop of Under-18s proved that there is still plenty of attacking talent remaining in East London.
Elisha Sowunmi joined Tottenham after ten years in West Ham United’s academy. The teenage winger scored more goals than anyone else in his age group in 2024/25, while also assisting both of Josh Ajala’s strikes in the Premier League Cup final victory over Reading.
First Elisha Sowunmi, next Josh Ajala? 🫨
What would two academy exits mean for West Ham?
Nuno Espirito Santo Manager of West Ham United looks dejected during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford at London Stadium on October 20, 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Luke Smith’s 2025/26 vintage can go one step closer to defending their crown if they beat Aston Villa in the quarter-finals on February 3rd.
The weekend, though, was all about league action.
Sowunmi might have had reservations about the pathway available to him at West Ham, but Smith and co will be hoping to convince Andre Dike, Joel Kerr and co that the grass is not necessarily greener elsewhere.
David Chigwada back with a bang as Andre Dike scores again for West Ham United
Dike and Kerr were two of five different West Ham goalscorers as Smith’s side ran riot against Southampton at Rush Green. Emmanuel Fejokwu, Martin Peychev and David Chigwada – back from a long-term injury – also put themselves on the scoresheet in a 5-2 victory.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Centre-forward Chigwada was making only his second Under-18 Premier League start since August. After three months on the sidelines, the former Manchester City kid is now making up for lost time, finishing coolly to put his team ahead in no time against the Saints.
West Ham United starlet Andre Dike during England v Malta - Under-17 Championship UEFA Qualifying 2025
Photo by Domenic Aquilina/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“David, returning after a long-term injury, was pivotal in setting the energy for the team,” a delighted Smith told the club’s official website. “Everyone is pleased to see him score in reward for his effort and tenacity.”
Fejokwu doubled the lead following a superb Tomas Jonyla corner. His first goal for the Under-18s. Bulgarian Peychev scored West Ham’s third after the break following more good work from Jonyla.
Andre Dike has unlocked Jarrod Bowen’s trademark finish in recent months. Again, he cut inside and fired home with his trusty left boot. That is Dike’s tenth goal in 18 games this season.
He looks destined to emulate Sowunmi by topping the scoring charts, though West Ham will be hoping that is where the similarities end.
Andre Dike is on FIRE! 🔥 ⚽
How EXCITED are you about West Ham's Baby Bowen?
Andre Dike of England celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during to the UEFA U17 EURO Championship 2025 Qualifying Round match between England and Sweden at Centenary Stadium Ta' Qali on October 30, 2024 in Malta, Malta.
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Joel Kerr back on the scoresheet while Luke Smith’s side smash Southampton
There was still time for a certain Northern Irish sensation to find the net as well. Joel Kerr was in prolific form the other side of Christmas. This was his first goal since he signed off 2025 with a brace in a 5-1 thrashing of West Brom.
“It has been an intense week, with three games against high-quality opposition,” Smith tells the club’s official website, that Southampton trouncing coming off victories over Birmingham and Crystal Palace. “But what has been most pleasing is that every player in the squad wants to contribute.
“Even if people haven’t been in one game, they give energy to the group in a positive way, whether that’s through encouragement or helping someone else feel prepared. There is a real togetherness which is helping us to push performance levels and show progress.
“The way we started the game today was exciting. The players took on the information regarding a game plan and executed it well.
“We managed changes in momentum more effectively and were able to capitalise at key points to our advantage.”
West Ham have now won 10 of their last 13 matches. Make it 11 in 14 against Aston Villa, and they will be just 90 minutes away from a second successive U18 Premier League Cup final.
“The results and outcomes of the games are for the boys,” Smith concludes. “As coaches and staff who work with the group, we look for the progress individuals can make and how we best support that.
“It is exciting for the boys to have these games against high-level opposition in the league and then go into the cup competitions. The knockout games give another experience to look forward to. They are all brilliant development opportunities that offer different challenges.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox