West Ham 3-1 Portsmouth
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium 

WEST HAM cruised to a comfortable victory in this first-round League Cup tie against Portsmouth at the London Stadium on Saturday.

It was Portsmouth, though, who started on the front foot, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes. So it came as little surprise when the visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark.

Adrian Segecic picked up the ball on the edge of the area from a Max Kilman clearing header. His shot then deflected off Kilman and into the net.

The goal saw the Hammers switch up a gear. Mohamadou Kante turned inside on the left to get a cross in, which Taty Castellanos side-footed home.

Two minutes later, Pablo helped the ball on to Jarrod Bowen, who drove home from the edge of the area.

West Ham effectively wrapped up the game in the second half when Kyle Walker-Peters put Bowen away down the right. His cross was coolly headed home by Castellanos.

The home side could have increased their lead further, with Pablo hitting the post.

West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo welcomed the good start, though he recognised there is plenty of work ahead.

He stressed his desire to develop academy talent. “So that we have X per cent from the academy,” said Espirito Santo, who also confirmed there will be some transfer movement in the coming weeks.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho felt his team were a bit makeshift in certain areas that need strengthening.

There was much interest in the presence of West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who had been told not to attend by the owners of the ground. There were, though, no signs of fan protests.

The loudest boos of the afternoon were reserved for hydration breaks taken in both halves — an unwelcome import from Fifa’s 2026 World Cup.

Something that must disappear when the weather cools.