West Ham United recovered from a slow start to defeat Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup first round, with a quickfire double before the break setting up a comfortable victory at London Stadium.
Portsmouth shocked the home crowd when Adrian Segecic found the net with a deflected effort. But West Ham hit back in style, as Valentín Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen scored in quick succession to flip the match on its head.
Castellanos struck again after the interval, nodding home a pinpoint delivery from Bowen to seal the win and confirm West Ham’s progress to the second round.
Portsmouth stun West Ham with opener
The visitors started brightly and looked comfortable in possession, with West Ham struggling to create clear-cut chances. Nicolas Schmid was rarely tested, though Edson Alvarez did force a save with a header from a corner.
Portsmouth took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark when a loose ball fell to Segecic on the edge of the box. His shot took a wicked deflection off Max Kilman and looped over the goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations among the away fans.
The visitors continued to push forward, with new signing Rocco Shein pulling the strings in midfield. Shein came close to doubling the lead with a powerful strike from distance, but Mads Hermansen was equal to it with a fine save.
West Ham turn the tie around before half-time
West Ham responded almost immediately after that scare. Castellanos levelled the scores with a simple finish from close range after latching onto a low cross from Mohamadou Kante.
Two minutes later, Bowen completed the turnaround. The winger cut inside and unleashed a left-footed shot that deflected off Conor Shaughnessy and wrong-footed Schmid on its way into the net.
That rapid double changed the complexion of the match and gave West Ham a lead they would not surrender.
Castellanos seals the win after the break
The hosts came out with renewed energy in the second half and put the game to bed within minutes. Bowen did well to create space on the right, then delivered a dangerous cross that Castellanos met with a powerful header into the bottom corner.
That goal put West Ham firmly in control, and Portsmouth never looked like mounting a comeback. The visitors faded as the half wore on, and West Ham were able to manage the game comfortably.
The victory ensures West Ham advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup with a display that showed character and attacking quality.
Former co-chairman David Sullivan was spotted in the stands at London Stadium, despite being advised to avoid attending the club’s home fixtures.