WEST Ham United slumped to the bottom of FA Premier Academy League Group A with a disappointing 4-2 home defeat to Chelsea at Little Heath.

In a match featuring literally dozens of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities, it was the multi-national Blues who picked up thoroughly deserved victory.

While he did not get on the scoresheet himself, the undisputed star of the show was 17-year-old France youth international Gael Kakuta, whose quick feet, deceptive passing and mesmerising dribbling left the Irons' defenders standing.

The unfortunate thing was that it had all begun so brightly for Tony Carr's youngsters.

A poor clearance from Dutchman Jeffrey Bruma allowed Ahmed Abdulla to fire home from 25 yards after just six minutes.

But the Hammers' advantage was short-lived.

Italian striker Fabio Borini had already forced a fine save out of home goalkeeper Adam Street before England Under-19 winger Frank Nouble converted a neat shot on the turn to level the scores on 11 minutes.

Chelsea's incisive movement and quick passing allowed them to dominate for long periods and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 20 minutes.

What was a shock, however, was the route-one nature of the goal, Borini racing on to Daniel Philliskirk's long ball before lobbing the advancing Street.

Just 12 minutes later it was 3-1 when Nouble pulled the ball back for Dutch midfielder Jacob Mellis to clip home from close-range.

West Ham were struggling to cope with their visitors, but did go within a coat of paint from halving the deficit on 34 minutes when Anthony Edgar's long-range effort was pushed on to the post by German goalkeeper Niclas Heimann.

But it was Chelsea who finished the first half the strong, Street having to at his very best to deny Nouble and Mellis.

The second period began brightly for Carr's side with Edgar going close on no fewer than three occasions within the opening five minutes of the half.

The Blues would not be subdued for long, however, and Street was called into action again on 50 minutes, pushing Borini's shot aside after Kakuta had brilliantly released the Italian.

Two minutes later, however, it was 4-1 as Hammers' defender Callum McNaughton inadvertantly deflected Nouble's low cross into his own net.

To West Ham's credit, they did not give up and, prompted by half-time substitute Connor Okus, pulled a goal back with 22 minutes remaining.

Midfielder Okus broke powerfully through the centre of the Chelsea defence before the ball broke to another replacement, England Under-16 international Robert Hall, who converted with ease.

Both sides continued to create and miss chances in the closing stages, with Kakuta, Borini and Jacopo Sala firing off-target for Chelsea and Abdulla curling a shot inches wide for the Irons.

But, all in all, Carr could have no complaints at the final result.

West Ham United Academy: Street, Miller, Brown, McNaughton, Fry, Kearns (Hall 56), Montano (Barnett 69), Lee, Grasser (Okus 46), Edgar, Abdulla. Unused Sub: Driver.

Chelsea Academy: Heimann, Ahamed, Bruma, Philliskirk, Gordon, Clifford (McEachran 62), Nouble, Mellis, Tabor (Sala 59), Kakuta, Borini. Unused Subs: Haxhia, King, Djalo.