Tony Pulis was full of praise for the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko on his first Premier League start but was critical of U21 football following his sides 3-0 defeat to West Ham. Leko became the first player born in 1999 to make a Premier League start and he put in an impressive display despite seeing his side well beaten by an in-form West Ham team.But despite his impressive showing, Pulis warned of the challenge facing Leko and other academy prospects trying to make the breakthrough from the U21s to senior football. Tony Pulis praised the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko Weve got a lot of talent in the academy and Johns got raw talent, Pulis told Sky Sports.What they need is they need to be out playing against men, learning their trade.Ive watched a lot of it and U21s football is no preparation for players, who are then going to make that step to league or Premier League football, he added. Leko made his first Premier League start in West Broms 3-0 defeat to West Ham We have to get these kids with raw talent out playing against men and playing in front of supporters are paying to see their team win.Theyll be hardened by it and work with professional people who know the game. You get taught doing it not talking about it. Phil Thompson gives his reaction to West Hams 3-0 away victory against West Brom Despite the defeat, Lekos emergence was a real positive for West Brom and Pulis was full of praise for his performance, comparing him to Crystal Palace wideman Yannick Bolasie.Hes got unbelievable talent Pulis said.I worked with Bolasie at Crystal Palace and he could do things that you thought were just natural.Johns the same. His balance and his change of pace are superb and hell score goals.Hes a very good talent as long as he keeps his feet on the ground. Also See: Hammers stay in Euro hunt Match in a minute Pulis: We didnt take chances Table Cheap Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. Falcons Jerseys China . -- The Denver Broncos locked up a shutdown cornerback, only his name wasnt Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-kaleb-mcgary-jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Steve Bartkowski Jersey . A steady downpour and low temperatures were predicted for much of the night. No makeup date was immediately announced, although it was determined that the game will not be part of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Wholesale Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . The Philadelphia Eagles acquired running back Darren Sproles from the New Orleans Saints for a fifth-round draft pick on Tuesday. PITTSBURGH -- Travis Snider is no longer a regular in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup. The arrival of Gregory Polanco in June means right field is no longer an option for Snider -- or anybody else -- for the next six years. Relegated to part-time status, Snider isnt sulking. Hes thriving. Sniders major league-leading 11th pinch hit of the season, a sinking liner off Matt Belisle, in the eighth scored Neil Walker and sparked the Pirates to a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. "When you dont see (reserves) on the bench, were not hanging out eating sunflower seeds, were actually doing something," Snider said. "We really just try to feed off each other in that sense and have a routine you can stick with it." Coming through is becoming routine for Snider, who is 11 for 39 (.282) as a pinch hitter. "One of the things we continue to talk about with all the pinch hitters is ... theres no downside," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "Youre trying to perform one of the toughest acts in the game and hes gotten to a good place with it." All-Star reliever Tony Watson (6-1) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth inning. Mark Melancon got Troy Tulowitzki, representing the tying run, to ground out to third to end it for his 17th save. Starling Marte tripled and drove in two runs before leaving late in the game shortly after taking a fastball to the head. Hurdle called the decision to remove Marte "precautionary" and he will be re-evaluated on Saturday. Charlie Culberson and Corey Dickerson had two hits apiece for the Rockies but Colorados bullpen couldnt give starter Jorge De La Rosa his fifth consecutive victory. The Rockies left 11 runners on base while losing their third straight. "We couldnt put it away," manager Walt Weiss said. "We got a few big outs there but the final analysis is we werent able to put that game away." Walker singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth and moved to third on Gaby Sanchezs single to centre. Snider followed with a hard drive that Gonzalez couldnt track down, the low point on a night the slugger also struck out five times. Pittsburgh starter Francisco Liriano worked five innings as he tries to bouncee back from a difficult first half in which he managed just one win in 15 starts and spent a month on the disabled list with a back injury.dddddddddddd The left-hander returned in four shaky innings last weekend against Cincinnati, but Hurdle threw Liriano right back out there on Friday hoping to get him into a comfortable rhythm. The early signs were encouraging. Liriano laboured through the first two innings -- needing 27 pitches to get out of bases-loaded jam in the first -- but got better as the game wore on. Colorado managed only an RBI fielders choice by Dickerson in the second against him as he retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. Liriano allowed one run on three hits, walking three and striking out eight. "When I started hitting my spot with my fastball in, things started to get better," Liriano said. De La Rosa was just as effective while keeping the Pirates off balance for six innings. Poor decision making by Marte helped. The left fielder tripled to left with two outs in the fifth, scoring Polanco all the way from first. Marte then ran through third baseman Nick Leyvas stop sign and was out by a good 15 feet trying for an inside the park homer. Colorado went back in front in the seventh when Pedro Alvarezs throwing error with two outs snowballed into an RBI single by Drew Stubbs. Pittsburgh evened it in the seventh after loading the bases off Rex Brothers. Adam Ottavino came in and got ahead of Marte 0-2 before hitting the outfielder in the helmet with a 93 mph fastball. "It was a bad pitch, I wish it didnt happen," Ottavino said. "It got away from me." NOTES: Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit Cole threw 30 pitches on Thursday without incident as he recovers from a sore back. Cole was eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday but the team remains uncertain on when he will return. ... Colorado RHP Tyler Chatwood will have undergo reconstructive elbow surgery for the second time in his career. Chatwood hasnt pitched since going on the 60-day disabled list on April 30. The 24-year-old is 20-22 with a 4.34 ERA in 70 major league games. He is expected to miss 12-18 months. ... The series continues on Saturday when Pittsburghs Charlie Morton (5-9, 3.32 ERA) faces Colorados Brett Anderson (0-3, 4.95). Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '