David Moyes said he is glad to have given Divin Mubama some minutes against Arsenal due to West Ham United's injury problems up front.
The Hammers lost 3-1 to the league leaders on Boxing Day after Said Benrahma put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot before half-time.
Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah denied Moyes' side the chance to leave the Emirates Stadium with any points but there was a positive, courtesy of the 87th-minute introduction of Mubama for his Premier League debut.
READ MORE: Who is Divin Mubama? West Ham teenager profiled after making Premier League debut vs Arsenal
The teenager made his senior debut earlier this season in the UEFA Europa Conference League against FCSB, managing to grab an assist in the 3-0 win.
And with Gianluca Scamacca missing on Monday night due to injury and Michail Antonio a fitness doubt heading into the fixture, Moyes made sure to mention Mubama when asked whether he felt his side were short of attacking options off the bench.
"Just tonight we were, but we like the boy Divin because he does the running and does the work for the team and he put himself out there. I’m glad we got him some minutes," said the West Ham boss.
Moyes was then asked whether the 18-year-old deserved his chance given his scintillating form for the youth team this season, two goals in eight Premier League 2 appearances and a further four goals in four Under-18 Premier League ties.
And though he said he did, the Scottish coach did add that they have kept him at that level recently after multiple call-ups to the first-team squad.
"Yes and like anybody else, we’re still wanting to bring our young players through when we possibly can. Divin has been a little bit up and down but we’ve left him for a little while and hopefully we can bring him back in the coming months," he added.
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