Through With Comfort n’ Nerves - West Ham 3-1 Portsmouth

The Hammers have kick-started the 2026/27 campaign with a victory as a brace from Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen’s strike from range comfortably placed Nuno’s side into Round Two of the Carabao Cup. Yet despite the victory, it was still a nervy affair.

The first thirty minutes were carnage for West Ham, Portsmouth took the lead after persistently threatening the Hammers with a deflected strike from range. The travelling Portsmouth fans erupted and Hammer heads fell, but a feeling of relief dropped into the stadium after Taty converted from close range to make it 1-1.

It seemed West Ham were in for a pitiful afternoon, but as soon as Nuno’s side decided to start being onside in attacking plays, as well as playing the ball through the middle on the ground, chances unfolded and it was nothing but comfortable from there.

The captain placed us 2-1 up with a finish from outside the box, another deflected goal, but as the Hammers went into the second half, worry settled and upon walking out, Taty quickly placed a header past the Portsmouth goalkeeper and made it three.

The team played well all in all, a few difficulties would’ve been noticed, Mohammadou Kante struggled tremendously out on the wing, but given that he’s a central midfielder, it can be understood.

Edson Alvarez returned in Claret & Blue colours and put in a defensive shift which of course earned him his compulsory yellow card, but the Mexican served his purpose in midfield.

An impressive cameo from Veltman who came on and nearly scored within a few minutes of being on the pitch, and moments later he nearly claimed an assist through setting up Pablo, but the Brazilian would strike the post from inside the six-yard box.

Defensively West Ham played with fire, the near, narrow passes around the back were almost a recipe for disaster, but in the end, all held on and victory was achieved.

The Hammers will certainly need a few more signings to bolster their eleven, the arrival of Manor Solomon for an impending £7M deal will be the first on that list, however, the other arrivals are unknown.

P.s - Back to the training ground for offside practice!