Abdi Ibrahim celebrated his call-up for Norway Under-21s by putting the Elite Development Squad on the way to victory against a decent Hammers side at Thurrock.

Ibrahim, promoted from his regular Under-19 berth to tackle Greece later this month, broke the deadlock after a goalless first half in Essex and was involved in the move that led to Winston Reid later adding an own goal.

West Ham fielded a line-up that included full internationals Reid, Radoslav Kovac and Jonathon Spector, but the young Blues took a grip of the game to extend their satisfying start to the campaign.

Ibrahim, whose only taste of senior action so far this season is the Carling Cup tie at West Brom, held off his marker to fire a low left-footed drive from 15 yards past goalkeeper Marek Stech after 58 minutes.

The Somali-born midfielder also played a part, with Kelvin Etuhu, Scott Kay and John Guidetti, in the patient passing build-up that saw Jeremy Helan's low cross diverted into his own goal by Reid after 65 minutes.

Frank Nouble snapped up a header into the top corner six minutes later to raise the Hammers' hopes of rescuing a Premier Reserve League point, but City kept their composure in three hectic minutes of added time.