Powell - Pre-match talk helped us

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  • Joe Powell scored twice as West Ham United PL2 beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League Cup
  • The Hammers made it through to the knockout phase our the competition with victory
  • Powell said Terry Westley's pre-match team talk helped the side take all three points

Joe Powell said the pre-match team talk was a key factor as West Ham United U23s comfortably beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League Cup.

The victory means the Hammers have made it through to the knockout phase with one game to spare in Group E.

Powell score twice and the victory was given extra gloss in the dying embers when January signing Nathan Holland raced through to score.

“We had quite strict words before the game,” said Powell. “Be aggressive, get tackles in and win headers. Everyone went out and performed the way we expected and we’re very happy. 

“In the last two or three games, we’ve conceded needless goals so he [Terry] is definitely buzzing off that [a clean sheet].”

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Powell has predominantly played for the U18s this season but has recently started a few games for the U23s and impressed.

The forward role is unusual for the 18-year-old because he has only played across the midfield for the U18s this year, but Powell has warmed to his new advanced position, scoring his first and second U23 goals in the win over Forest.

“The header just came over and I thought to just stick my head on it and to try and get something on it,” added Powell.

“I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but it was a great finish to get it back across goal and over the keeper.

“I said to Kyle [Knoyle] before the game that I was coming to feet a lot more in the previous game so I told him that I was going to try and get in the box a bit more. Luckily he found me and we got the goal.

“I said to the boys after the game he [Fred Nielsen] was always going to make a mistake. Sometimes in them situations, when you have the most time, it’s harder because you have so many things running through your mind. But I put it underneath the keeper because he’s quite big.”

The Hammers are back in action on Monday 20 February for the first time at London Stadium, in a Premier League 2 match with Fulham. Ticket information can be found here