It was a shame that Jody Morris had to leave Chelsea in the circumstances that he did, but the former Blue certainly “knows ball” as the kids say, and as someone who played a key role in bringing many of our top Cobham youngsters through, you have to respect his opinion on players and performances.

Despite the bad result against West Ham today, Morris picked our two of those academy kids for praise – Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Mount scored a stunning goal to keep up his rapidly improving form, while Loftus-Cheek built on a solid second half against Watford with some good play today. His driving runs from midfield weren’t able to make the difference in the end, but they did more to disrupt the opposition’s defensive shape than a lot of his teammates managed.

The injuries have given both of these guys a chance back in the first team, and so far they’re making the most of them.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Heat play 'Herro ball' to stun Celtics in Game 2
Lions extension makes Amon-Ra St. Brown the NFL's highest-paid receiver
Brad Marchand gets winner as Bruins beat Leafs to go up 2-1 in series
Reigning Cy Young winner's disastrous 2024 continues
Timberwolves C overcomes long odds, wins Sixth Man of the Year
Watch: Aaron Judge passes Derek Jeter on Yankees all-time home run list
Why it makes sense that the Steelers declined QB Justin Fields' fifth-year option
Heisman Trust's Reggie Bush decision another sign of NCAA's diminishing power
Peyton Manning rips Jets for failing QB Zach Wilson
'Baaaadd man' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Thunder to commanding Game 2 win
Golden Knights heading home up 2-0 on Stars
Watch: Thunder G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sets new playoff high
Chargers reportedly targeting this former Jim Harbaugh player in draft
Watch: The Maple Leafs turn up the physicality in Game 3 vs. Bruins
Cavaliers forward to miss rest of first-round series
Latest report provides hint on Cowboys' feelings about Ezekiel Elliott reunion
Three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher requests a trade from the Bengals
Commanders suddenly cut pass-rusher after NFL reinstatement
Watch: Pirates prospect Paul Skenes' remarkable streak ends
Cowboys make unsurprising move with Micah Parsons

Want more FC news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.