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West Ham 2-1 Cheltenham: Ravel Morrison Dazzles On Full Debut

Finally Coming Of Age?
The Huffington Post UK/PA

Ravel Morrison, the troubled 20-year-old whose behaviour effectively cost him a future at Manchester United, struck the winner on his full West Ham debut in their 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Cheltenham on Tuesday night.

Just 40 seconds into the second half, the former United attacker collected the ball on the edge of the area, turned inside and then out to leave the entire Cheltenham defence wrong-footed before curling the ball low into the corner.

Regarded as the best academy product at United since Paul Scholes, Morrison was instrumental as United won the 2011 FA Youth Cup but was sold in January last year amid rumours of ill-discipline and a questionable attitude.

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Morrison was regarded as the best United academy talent since Paul Scholes

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce gave him one substitute appearance the season before he loaned Morrison out to Birmingham last term - and a stint in the Championship appears to have benefitted the Wythenshawe forward.

Hammers assistant Neil McDonald revealed: "As a young kid coming from Manchester thinking he could walk into the team, it was a bit of a shock to him that he didn't.

"I think the penny has dropped now and he's come back a wiser young man and we look forward to him keeping knocking on the manager's door.

Ravel Morrison vs Cheltenham
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Second Round - West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Upton Park(01 of11)
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West Ham United's Ravel Morrison during the Capital One Cup, Second Round match at Upton Park, London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(02 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Razvan Rat (L) and Ravel Morrison of West Ham United celebrate at the final whistle during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(03 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison of West Ham United celebrates with his team-mate Mohamed Diame (#21) after scoring the second goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(04 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison (L) of West Ham United holds of Matt Richards of Cheltenham Town during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(05 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison (6th L) of West Ham United shoots past goalkeeper Scott Brown of Cheltenham Town to score their second goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(06 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison (4th L) of West Ham United shoots past goalkeeper Scott Brown of Cheltenham Town to score their second goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(07 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison (L) of West Ham United controls the ball from Craig Braham-Barrett of Cheltenham Town during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Capital One Cup Second Round(08 of11)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Ravel Morrison (L) of West Ham United celebrates with team-mate Jack Collison after scoring their second goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between West Ham United and Cheltenham Town at The Boleyn Ground on August 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Second Round - West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Upton Park(09 of11)
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West Ham United's Ravel Morrison and James Tomkins compete for the ball with Cheltenham Town's Ashley Vincent during the Capital One Cup, Second Round match at Upton Park, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 27, 2013. See PA story SOCCER West Ham. Photo credit should read: Stephen Pond/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Second Round - West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Upton Park(10 of11)
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West Ham United's Ravel Morrison celebrates scoring his sides' second goal during the Capital One Cup, Second Round match at Upton Park, London. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Second Round - West Ham United v Cheltenham Town - Upton Park(11 of11)
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West Ham United's Ravel Morrison and Cheltenham Town's Jason Taylor compete for the ball during the Capital One Cup, Second Round match at Upton Park, London. (credit:PA)

"Now he has to keep scoring, he has to keep the ball, his all-round performance has to be good and he has to be consistent."

West Ham were already leading through Ricardo Vaz Té's curling free-kick, awarded after Morrison - who moments earlier was booked for diving - had been fouled 25 yards out.

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