Odubeko on target but West Ham fail to leapfrog Arsenal in final game of PL2 season

Published: May 08, 2021

Arsenal secured their Premier League 2 safety on the final day of the 2020-2021 season despite being held to a draw by a strong West Ham side at the Rush Green Stadium (Romford, Greater London) on Friday night.

As for team news, there were six players of Nigerian descent named in the matchday squad, with Ademipo Odubeko starting for the Hammers; Miguel Azeez, Folarin Balogun and Tolaji Bola went the distance for the Gunners; Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri started on the bench.

Following a goalless first half, Odubeko's reactive header from close range put West Ham 1-0 up in the 56th minute.

In doing so, he took his haul for the season to fourteen goals in fourteen matches for West Ham's youth teams, including ten strikes in the Premier League 2.

Nikolaj Moller converted a penalty won by Balogun with fifteen minutes remaining, Ekwah restored West Ham's lead on 87 minutes and Kido Taylor-Hart's injury time goal ensured the points were shared in the derby.

The Hammers would be relegated from the Premier League 2 if Leicester City beat Liverpool on Monday.

They currently sit 11th in the table with 24 points, while Arsenal are 10th with 26 points after 24 matches.

Igho Kingsley

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