In a battle between two of the brightest young forwards in English football, Joel Kerr and JJ Gabriel traded goals during the first half of West Ham’s Premier League Cup semi-final with Manchester United on Wednesday afternoon.
The baby-faced hope of Northern Ireland up against the 15-year-old Red Devils whizzkid. Two future stars, head to head.
While Man United would eventually have too much for their London-based opposition – Kai Rooney, son of Wayne, put the finishing touches on a 3-1 victory sealed in extra time – Joel Kerr’s ‘magical’ opener had West Ham United briefly dreaming of retaining their Premier League Cup crown.
Which West Ham starlet do YOU have the highest hopes for?
Joel Kerr has to be right up there…
Joel Kerr of Northern Ireland controls the ball during the U16 Victory Shield match between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at Broadwood Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Cumbernauld, Scotland.
Wearing the number ten shirt, Kerr picked up possession just outside the centre circle and set off on one of his favourite weaving runs. Driving towards the penalty area, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and drilled a precise shot into the bottom corner of the Man United goal.
Joel Kerr scores but JJ Gabriel inspires Manchester United to victory over West Ham
“A magical moment for Joel Kerr,” said the commentator working for West Ham’s YouTube channel.
“He picks it up and just keeps going, just keeps going. On his left foot, blasts it in.”
Brought over to England from Glentoran last summer, Kerr has produced his fair share of ‘magical moments’ for the Hammers already, even if his rival whizzkid in red would spark a turnaround at the Trafford Training Centre.
JJ Gabriel during Middlesbrough U18 v Manchester United U18: U18 Premier League
Photo by WM Sport Media – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
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JJ Gabriel spent time in the West Ham academy before moving north and terrorising defenders for Man United instead. Still only 15, a year younger than Kerr, Gabriel racked up his 19th goal in 22 Under-18 games when equalising just before half-time.
West Ham had their fair share of chances in the second 45. Jephthah Medine hit the bar and Andre Dike rattled the post, but extra time strikes from Junior Brown and the aforementioned Rooney ensures that the Red Devils will face Crystal Palace in the final.
One year after beating Reading to claim the trophy – ‘the magic’ Josh Ajala has a knack for scoring big cup goals, hitting a brace against the Royals in 2025 – this time Kerr and co fell at the penultimate hurdle.
Kerr showcases his Joe Cole-like qualities in semi-final loss
Still, this has been a terrific debut season for the Northern Ireland Under-17 international.
There are shades of Joe Cole in the way Kerr carries the ball forward at such speed and with such balletic unpredictability. Shifting and shimmying from one foot to the other, Kerr ‘stood out as a real prospect’ in Northern Ireland and is now showcasing his talents to a wider audience this side of the sea.
He is, to quote West Ham’s official website, a ‘quick, dynamic wide player who is just as comfortable centrally [and] loves to dominate in one-v-one situations’. For those of you old enough and lucky enough to remember when a baby-faced Joe Cole exploded onto the senior stage, such a description may ring familiar.
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West Ham's cup hero strikes again… 🏆 ⚽ ⚽
Josh Ajala of West Ham in action during the National League Cup match between Sutton United and West Ham United U21 at VBS Community Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Sutton, England.
The Hammers will not be retaining their Premier League Cup title, then, but there is still some silverware up for grabs at youth level this season.
Stepping up to the Under-21s in some style, Josh Ajala is in ‘unstoppable’ form right now. The West Ham kid set up a National League Cup final with Boreham Wood thanks to his scintillating brace in a semi-final triumph over Tamworth last month.
With his contract up in the summer and clubs in France and Germany taking a very keen interest, it is no wonder the West Ham faithful are desperate to see Ajala stay. Particularly after the Hammers lost Elisha Sowunmi to Tottenham and Emeke Adiele to FC Utrecht.
Fortunately, signing scholarship terms less than a year ago, there are no such concerns regarding Joel Kerr’s future right now.
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