**West Ham beat Burton Albion 1–0 to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, but the game was far from straightforward, with many Hammers players struggling at the Pirelli Stadium.**
Nuno Espírito Santo deployed a heavily rotated side that featured several West Ham youngsters, some of whom had never even started for the first team. Despite the weakened line-up, fans were intrigued to see how the Irons’ academy products would fare against League One opposition.
However, it proved to be a tough afternoon for the young Hammers against Gary Bowyer’s side. Mohamadou Kanté looked out of his depth, new boy Kieber Lamadrid was constantly on the periphery of the game, and breakout star Freddie Potts came off the bench only to be sent off in extra time.
Ollie Scarles started at left-back and, although he was generally solid, he endured some nervous moments and could have conceded a penalty after a wayward header in the first half.
One youngster who did impress was Ezra Mayers, who produced a strong display in the Hammers’ back line. The 19-year-old had made only five Premier League appearances prior to the tie and had never started for the first team, but he put in a composed performance against the League One side.
Mayers began in a back three alongside today’s captain Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman – and playing next to the former Wolves defender is a challenge in itself. Despite Mayers’ solidity at centre-back, the Hammers required a change of shape after half-time.
In the second half, Nuno reverted to a back four, with Mayers deployed at left-back. Once again, the Hammers’ No. 63 dealt well with Burton’s pressure, even as it intensified significantly in extra time. He tracked runners effectively, made several good challenges and even assisted Crysencio Summerville’s winning goal.
Mayers played the full 120 minutes in Staffordshire – a big ask of any academy player – but he did not look out of place. In fact, the young defender has looked assured whenever he has featured for the first team, including during his cameo away at Manchester City in December.
He should not be expected to become a first-team regular this season or even next, but if West Ham avoid relegation, Mayers could benefit from a Championship loan move, as Potts did. It is still early days, of course, but the defender has shown encouraging potential since his integration into the senior side.