Football Review | West Ham 3 - 1 Portsmouth
West Ham prepare for life back in the Championship with a win over Portsmouth in the EFL Cup
They scored three goals in seven minutes as they came from behind to beat Pompey
After a slow start, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock when Edson Alvarez rose highest to meet a corner, although his header failed to trouble goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
Portsmouth found the breakthrough after 30 minutes when a partially cleared cross fell to Segecic just outside the box. The Croatian took aim and his shot found the net via a deflection off Max Kilman, sending the 9,000 travelling supporters into celebration.
Before this, the home fans created a fantastic atmosphere which certainly gave the impression that a positive new era was about to start at the London Stadium.
The visitors enjoyed the greater share of possession for most the first half, with their new signing Rocco Shein particularly impressive in midfield, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Portsmouth almost doubled their advantage shortly before the interval when Shein unleashed a right-footed effort from distance, but Mads Hermansen made a fine diving save to keep it out.
West Ham responded immediately
The home side woke up though. They drew level when Castellanos converted a low cross from Mohamadou Kante. Bowen then put the Hammers ahead in the 45th minute. His left-footed effort from outside the box took a deflection off Conor Shaughnessy's head, wrong-footing Schmid before finding the net.
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West Ham carried that momentum into the second half. Bowen raced into space down the right before delivering for Castellanos, who headed into the bottom-left corner to complete a flowing attacking move.
The Hammers remained in control for the remainder of the game, holding firm as Portsmouth offered little threat, and secured their place in the next round.
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