Ruth: Draw with West Ham was fair

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Under-21s are still unbeaten after two games in the Premier League Cup.

Luke Nicoli

2026-09-05T11:00+01:00

Shannon Ruth felt the under-21s' 1-1 draw at West Ham was a fair result. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion men's under-21 head coach Shannon Ruth felt last night's 1-1 draw at West Ham United was a fair result.

The Seagulls were heading for a second successive win in the Premier League Cup thanks to Tyler Silsby's excellent finish, only to concede late in the game.

It was a game in which Ruth's side had chances to extend their lead but it was the Hammers who ended the game stronger as they searched for an equaliser.

“I think a draw was about right,” Ruth reflected. “We could have won it, but then they could have won it late on too. We had a couple of good chances at 1-0 and if we'd taken them then the game was done.

“But credit to West Ham because they started to push a bit harder with the scoreline still at 1-0 and although we made some changes it just wasn't to be. But I was pleased with some of the players' performances. This is a competition which we used to get game-time for some of the lads who haven't had it so far this season. For large periods I was really pleased with their efforts.”

While chances were spurned on the night, Ruth was also pleased with the attacking options that he had at his disposal.

“We're a team that will create chances,” he added. “Sometimes in the 21s you're forced to operate without any forwards, but we've got three now and some real physicality at the top end of the pitch. I'm really confident that moving forward we're going to create chances and score goals.”

Ruth was back in charge of the side for the first time this season, having spent an extended period assisting Fabian Hurzeler's first-team squad, and he's looking forward to working with his group now that the transfer window has shut.

“It was a busy window and a really successful one for the academy, with a number of players going out on loan, but now the window is shut I'm looking forward to seeing how the team comes together. Our job is to get the group connected, continue showing them how we want to play and try to replicate what we achieved last season.”