At some point, football teams, and the managers whose fate is ruthlessly beholden to their results, must win. And so, for both Julen Lopetegui and Kieran McKenna, this sunny Saturday afternoon in east London was deemed of utmost importance.
Tasked with introducing a sense of excitement often lacking at West Ham in recent seasons, Lopetegui’s reign had already threatened to turn sour after an unprecedented three home league defeats to start his first campaign at the helm. For McKenna, an abundance of good will from successive promotions means any knives remain entirely blunt. But he will be well aware that plucky points from a multitude of draws will not make their top-flight return a prolonged one.
This heavy defeat keeps them hovering dangerously above the relegation zone as one of four sides still yet to win a match this season. For their opponents it provides a sense of optimism as they head into the season’s second international break. Life is simple enough when faced with a defence as porous as that served from Suffolk, but perhaps there will be greater joy from the Lopetegui era than has previously been evident.
The instant gift that began the rout came courtesy of a player whose dread at having to play in this stadium must be reaching unfounded heights. Kalvin Phillips’ performances at Ipswich this campaign have hinted at the one-time England mainstay starting to put a torrid few years – including last season’s luckless West Ham loan spell – behind him. But the midfielder’s underhit pass to cede possession after just 49 seconds was severely punished, allowing Jarrod Bowen to drive forward and square to Michail Antonio, who coolly slotted home with a minimum of fuss.
The continuation of Liam Delap’s hot streak meant the hosts’ lead was short lived, as the former Manchester City striker fired with such venom from just inside the penalty area that Alphonso Areola was unable to prevent it whizzing past at the near post. But that was where Ipswich’s joy swiftly ended.
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To a subdued background of uneasy muttering throughout the stands, West Ham put the game to bed within half a dozen minutes either side of half-time.
Minutes after his header had hit the post when unmarked, Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal of the campaign, nodding in from just a few inches when following up from Antonio’s header, which had crashed into the underside of the crossbar and bounced up off the goalline.
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Four minutes after the break, the lead was further extended. Asked to deal with a horrible looped packpass, Arijanet Muric could only clear the ball to Bowen, who cut inside his defender and curled beautifully into the far corner from 20 yards.
With the hosts ever more dominant as the afternoon wore on, the result was confirmed when Lucas Paquetà became West Ham’s fourth scorer of the afternoon, tapping home after the brilliant Bowen had put the ball across the face of goal.
With more than a week to study it, West Ham fans looking at the Premier League table will see their side banging on the door of the top half. What was all the concern about?