Ashley Fletcher, Domingos Quina and Kyle Knoyle all started as West Ham United’s Under-23s were beaten 3-0 by Brighton on Monday in their final group game of the Premier League Cup.
Quina was involved early on, shooting high over the bar, while Fletcher produced a comfortable save from Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez when his effort took a deflection.
But having played some neat football, the Hammers fell behind on 17 minutes. Tyler Hornby-Forbes sent in a cross from the left that eventually found its way to Henrik Bjordal, who turned in the box and fired in past Raphael Spiegel.
Swiss midfielder Noha Sylvestre saw a shot well held by Sanchez, while at the other end James Tilley and Tyler Forbes both went close and Spiegel made an excellent save from close range from Aaron Connelly.
A few minutes before the break, Brighton were given a penalty when Knoyle – who had an injury-hit loan spell at Wigan this season – pulled back George Cox, and Tilley converted.
Cox then set up Albion’s third early in the second half, crossing for Connolly to head in.
Brighton had a late opportunity to extend their winning margin but Spiegel tipped a Dessie Hutchinson effort over the bar.