HARRY Redknapp backed Saints' youngsters to win the FA Youth Cup after watching last night's demolition of his former club West Ham.

Redknapp returned to the ground where he played in West Ham's FA Youth Cup winning team of 1963 to witness Saints' 4-1 romp at Upton Park, Leon Best (pictured above) scoring twice, which took them through to the semi-finals.

When asked if the Saints youth team of 2005 can go all th way for the first time in the club's history, he said: "They've every chance, we'll be the team to beat for sure. We're very much the favourites to win it now.

"It was a terrific performance from the kids. We've got a good side, some good young players, and I'm sure one or two will go on to be first team players at Southampton.

"It's nice when you get a good youth team and they come along every so often, clubs have their little spells.

"There's one or two good players; the boy (Martin) Cranie's a good player, been in the first team and done very well.

"Besty's got first team experience, he's a young player with bags of pace, but they all played very well tonight."