West Ham United under-18s manager Kevin Keen has hailed his side’s FA Youth Cup final win over Arsenal as the best night of his career.
Goals from George Earthy, Callum Marshall, Gideon Kodua, Kaelan Casey and Josh Briggs sealed a 5-1 win for the visitors at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, despite going 1-0 down via Omari Benjamin’s early goal for the Gunners.
The trophy win for the young Hammers was their first in this competition since 1999 when a team starring Joe Cole and Michael Carrick claimed the silverware with a 9-0 aggregate victory over Coventry City in the final.
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Speaking after the win, under-18s boss Keen said that the trophy win was the proudest moment of his football career as a player and manager, despite it spanning over four decades.
“I think this is my 40th season in football and this is as proud as I’ve ever been,” Keen told football.london. “They are a fantastic group, we’ve got wonderful staff and to come here and play that well, especially going 1-0 down, to have that support behind us is just an incredible moment for the academy, for the football club.
“Richly deserved by those young men who are very, very special.”
Over 34,000 supporters were in attendance for the all-London final, with 7,000 of those creating a passionate away end who sang their hearts out for West Ham’s young hopefuls.
Speaking on the support, Keen said it was special for his players to be able celebrate with the Hammers’ loyal fanbase.
“That’s what makes it the best night of my career,” Keen added. “It’s incredible, the tickets sold out like that, we probably could have sold another 7,000.
“They sang all the time, even at 1-0 down they got really, really behind the lads. I think it was like an extra man for us.
“For me, coming to the Emirates, I’ve done a few first-team games here, normally West Ham fans are in that little corner but to have that whole end and to sing and be able to celebrate and for the players to go and have that special moment with their family and friends was special, incredible.”
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