West Ham United’s under-18s will be looking to book a place in the final of the FA Youth Cup when they take on Southampton on Thursday night.
The Hammers, who currently sit 12 points clear at the top of the Under-18s Premier League South standings, are in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 1999, when the likes of future Premier League winners Joe Cole and Michael Carrick were both in the team.
So far, West Ham have only had away ties in this competition this season, recording wins over Sheffield United, Burnley, Stoke City, and Ipswich Town.
Meanwhile, opponents Southampton have also won four games to get this far, having entered in the third round proper. They have beaten Coventry City, Aston Villa, Fulham and Preston North End to reach the last four of the competition.
The West Ham teenagers who could feature this evening include Divin Mubama, Ollie Scarles, and Kaelan Casey, who have all played for the first-team this season. The winner of tonight’s tie will face a trip to Arsenal in the final later this month
football.london is at today's match at the London Stadium. Follow the live blog for all of the latest team news, pre-match build up, score updates, thoughts, and analysis from the home of the Hammers.
West Ham head to Arsenal in the final after a stunning 6-1 win over Southampton. What a win!
Another one! Marshall's shot is spilled at the back post, Fawunmi taps in at the back post. Quite the rout.
Rigge and Fawunmi are on for Earthy and Kodua.
Almost six for West Ham and four for Mubama. A great volley kept out by Adli.
Sean Tarima is on for West Ham, off goes Kelly.
Excellent footwork from Earthy, whose shot was saved. It fell to Mubama, who was not going to pass up on a hat-trick on the angle. What a night!
Kodua with a brilliant goal to make it 4-1. All came from Orford's pass, drilled it to the left, cut inside and a ferocious finish across goal. Little Adli could do about that.
Great footwork from Doyle, but his shot was blocked by Casey. Southampton getting back in it.
Southampton get a goal back. A great run from Meghoma, who drills a low cross for Ballard, who taps into an empty net. Southampton are back in it.
Clever from West Ham as Earthy's cross goes towards Mubama, who can't quite get there. Good move though.
Orford gets forward and shoots, it was always rising as he fires over.
Mubama again, he has 27 in 20 for the academy. Kodua interception plays in Mubama, who goes through and pokes home. Comfortable stuff.
Dibling's header forces Terry into a stop. An injury break here as Kodua is down with a head injury.
We are back underway here at the London Stadium.
A really good half for West Ham, who are 2-0 up after goals from Mubama and Marshall. Find themselves in a strong position.
Mason Terry - 7 Ryan Battrum - 7 Regan Clayton - 7 Kaelan Casey - 7 Ollie Scarles - 6 Lewis Orford - 7 Patrick Kelly - 6 Callum Marshall - 7 Gideon Kodua - 7 George Earthy - 7 Divin Mubama - 7
Maghoma hits a shot from range and Terry is forced into action, Southampton not out of it just yet.
A moment ago, Clayton just hit a clearance straight at the lino, hits him in the chest, absolutely fine.
Orford with a well whipped in free-kick, Casey gets there but can't quite get a connection on it.
Earthy does well to slip Kodua in on goal. Shrugs off his man but his shot is saved by Adli. Marshall steers well wide with a header on the follow up.
A good chance for Southampton on the counter but Terry gets low and tips it away from his back post.
Marshall goes close twice at the back post, the first is saved and the second is blocked.
A stoppage here as Southampton's Hewlett is down after a clash of heads with Mubama. No nearer to another goal, but West Ham are well on top.
Long by Orford and it did find a West Ham head, although it was an easy stop for Adli.
A poor clearance from goalkeeper Adli, Mubama controls shimmies before shooting. Adli does well to keep it out.
Cross through the box falls to Davis, who gets a shot off. Well blocked by Kelly though.
It's Callum Marshall and it's an excellent finish. Battrum's long ball, Marshall controlled, shot on his left, through the legs of the defender and in the bottom corner.
It had to be! Mubama makes it 1-0! A brilliant cross from Kodua, Mubama with an excellent flick in, 1-0. 27 in 20 for the 21s and 18s combined.
A good move down the left between Scarles and Marshall, Scarles' cross was cut out just before Kodua could get there.
Orford hits one from range, which is saved by Adli. Marshall on the follow sees his shot go over.
West Ham try to spring on a counter from a corner, Marshall finds compatriot Kelly, who was tackled. Energetic from both teams so far.