In the end, it took the exuberance of youth to spark West Ham United’s season into life.After the 4-1 victory over Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo watched on like a proud father when youngsters Joshua Ajala, 19, Airidas Golambeckis, 18, Lewis Orford, 20, Finlay Herrick, 20, Ezra Mayers, 19, and Divine Mukasa, 19, were serenaded by the away enclosure at St Mary’s Stadium.Following disappointing performances against Burnley and Charlton Athletic, Nuno’s side needed to produce a positive display. But he opted against naming a strong starting XI like in the previous round against Portsmouth. Instead, Nuno fielded six academy graduates, with forward Ajala, who scored twice, making his full debut. So did defender Golambeckis and third-choice goalkeeper Herrick. Midfielder Orford, who registered two assists, made his third start of the season, defender Mayers made his first first-team appearance since April, while attacking midfielder Mukasa made his first start since rejoining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.A seventh academy player in Kaelan Casey also featured when he made a late cameo in added time. In total, five members — Herrick, Mukasa, Orford, Casey and Ollie Scarles — of the FA Youth Cup-winning side from 2023 featured in the matchday squad against Southampton.West Ham have always prided themselves on being the Academy of Football, and this was that nickname turning into reality.It was West Ham’s biggest away win in the League Cup since their 5-1 win over Walsall in September 1967. West Ham could have capitulated after Leo Scienza’s opener for Southampton in the tenth minute, but the youngsters showed they were not overawed by the occasion.“It was a top team performance,” Mukasa told The Athletic. “We came here, did what we needed to do and I think we just need to build on this momentum now. I’m happy and buzzing for Josh, obviously (scoring) two goals. He usually plays as a striker, so he knows how to score goals, which he showed today, but also on the wing, he’s good in one-v-one situations. It was a top performance from Lewis (Orford), from minute one to the end of the game.