Jerry Amoo's late goal secured a 1-0 Barclays U18 Premier League victory at Norwich City on Saturday.
West Ham United travelled to Norfolk on the back of consecutive 3-1 defeats by Fulham and Aston Villa which ended their unbeaten eight-match start to the season.
However, Steve Potts' side showed no ill-effects from those two losses as they produced a display that could easily have been rewarded with a more comprehensive win.
West Ham had the majority of clear-cut chances at Norwich's Colney Training Centre, with Tunji Akinola seeing a shot blocked, Manny Onariase twice firing off-target and Amoo forcing a fine save from the home goalkeeper from Djair Parfitt-Williams' through ball.
At the other end, the Hammers defended stoutly, with Oscar Borg throwing himself in front of one goalbound shot. The first half ended goalless, with Joe Powell firing a free-kick past the post for the visitors in the closing moments.
Into the second half and West Ham started brightly, with Parfitt-Williams seeing a shot saved before combining with Borg to set up Powell, who forced an outstanding save from the Norwich goalkeeper.
Powell saw another shot saved from Amoo's right-wing cross before the Canaries finally got themselves back into things midway through the second period. First, a header flashed wide before Sam Howes was forced to make a fine stop to keep his side on level pegging.
Potts sent on Decarrey Sheriff and Swiss youngster Noha Sylvestre for Powell and Kieran Bailey and the changes sparked one last thrust from the Hammers.
Amoo was the man to win it for West Ham. Borg's fine work in the corner led to a cross and a scramble inside the Norwich penalty area that ended with the midfielder firing home to secure all three points for his side.
U18s: Howes, Pike, Borg, Carter, Akinola, Onariase, Amoo, Browne, Powell (Sheriff), Bailey (Sylvestre), Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Bogard, Elsom, Eggleton