West Ham's Gideon Kodua scores STUNNING lob in FA Youth Cup final
Pick that one out! West Ham starlet Gideon Kodua scores STUNNING 35-yard lob in FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal… as U18s captain nets third goal in rampant first half for east Londoners
- West Ham’s youth captain Gideon Kodua scored a stunning goal against Arsenal
- The 18-year-old capitalised on a defensive error to lob the Gunners goalkeeper
- MATCH REPORT: Hammers lift their first FA Youth Cup in 24 YEARS after 5-1 win
West Ham’s Under 18s captain Gideon Kodua stole the show as he lobbed Arsenal’s goalkeeper from 35-yards out en route to winning the FA Youth Cup final for the first time since 1999.
Latching onto a misplaced pass from Gunners centre back Josh Robinson, Kodua burst through before looking up to spot goalkeeper Noah Cooper off his line.
The 18-year-old then kept his cool under the pressure of recovering defenders to produce a stunning chip that sailed over a backtracking Cooper.
Kodua’s brilliant effort saw the visitors round out a dominant first half at the Emirates stadium to put them in firm control of the final, leading 3-1 at the break. They eventually sealed a 5-1 win.
But it was Kodua’s strike that was the most impressive of the bunch after George Earthy and Callum Marshall had earlier scored for the Hammers to edge them ahead.
West Ham U18s captain Gideon Kodua (left) scored a stunning lob in the FA Youth Cup final
The 18-year-old (left) put West Ham 3-1 up in the clash at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday
Arsenal had initially taken the lead after Omari Benjamin had initially given the hosts a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute.
Earthy’s stunning strike pulled them level before Callum Marshall was on hand to turn in a whipped Kodua cross in.
Kodua then turned on the style with a sensational strike that silenced Arsenal supporters inside the ground, who were hoping to see their youth outfit lift a first FA Youth Cup trophy in more than 10 years.
The West Ham midfielder looked on in amazement at his effort, one which will be a sure-fire nomination for the tournament’s goal of the competition.
He was soon surrounded by ecstatic team-mates and celebrated by pulling out some dance moves while West Ham supporters in the far corner raucously celebrated the long-range effort.
Arsenal players quickly rallied around Robinson after his mistake allowed Kodua the surprise shooting opportunity from outside the box.
West Ham, who went into the game having won the FA Youth Cup just three times since the competition’s inception and been runners-up on four separate occasions, blew their hosts away with two further goals to be more-than-deserving winners.
It is the first time in 24 years that the east London side have won the tournament.
Kodua (middle) was the one tasked with lifting the FA Youth Cup at the end following a 5-1 win
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