Ipswich Town 1 v 3 West Ham United
FA Premier League
Sunday, 25th May 2025 Kick-off 16:00

Ipswich Town 1-3 West Ham United - Match Report
Sunday, 25th May 2025 18:10

Town’s final game of their one-year return to the Premier League ended in their 24th defeat of the campaign as they were beaten 3-1 at Portman Road by West Ham United. James Ward-Prowse gave the Hammers the lead two minutes before half-time following a mix-up in the Blues defence, then Nathan Broadhead levelled seven minutes after the restart but Jarrod Bowen restored the lead only three minutes later and Mohammed Kudus added a third on 87.

The Blues initially made two changes from the team which lost 2-0 at Leicester last week with Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead returning to the XI but were forced into a late switch after Alex Palmer was taken ill in the warm-up, manager Kieran McKenna having said there had been illness in the camp at his Friday press conference. Christian Walton started in his place with Cieran Slicker on the bench.

Chaplin, making his 150th league appearance for the Blues, was the number 10 with Julio Enciso absent from the squad, again presumably due to illness.

Broadhead was to Chaplin’s left with Jack Clarke, who was at Wembley to watch his former club Sunderland promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs yesterday, on the bench.

George Hirst again started with Liam Delap on the bench for what’s set to be his final game for the club, as was Massimo Luongo, who McKenna has revealed is set to depart in the close season.

Centre-half Cameron Burgess was back on the bench having missed the trip to Leicester with a minor hamstring problem, as was lifelong West Ham fan Sammie Szmodics for the first time in three months after ankle surgery, but ex-Hammers full-back Ben Johnson was not included. Young left-back Somto Boniface was again among the substitutes.

West Ham made five changes from the team which lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest a week ago with keeper Lukasz Fabianski coming into the side for his final game for the club along with Konstantinos Mavrapanos, Ollie Scarles, Edson Alvarez and Niclas Fullkrug.

Ex-Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell, who is leaving the Hammers this summer, Alphonse Areola, Vladimir Coufal, Rodriguez and Mohamed Kudus all dropped to the bench.

Prior to kick-off both teams took a knee to show a commitment to fighting racism to applause but some boos.

As the game got under way, the home crowd sung in tribute to departing midfielder Luongo.

Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen scuffed the game’s first effort wide of Walton’s left post in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later, Bowen crossed from the right, a long ball having flown over Jacob Greaves, but failed to pick out a teammate. However, there was a moment of panic when Tuanzebe passed back to Walton on his right side rather than to his preferred left foot but the keeper scrambled it away.

On 10, Greaves flicked Town’s first chance of the game wide with his head from a free-kick out on the right.

Two minutes later, Hutchinson played a clever pass out of trouble on the right outside the Town area and found Broadhead midway inside the Blues half, the Wales international nutmegged Jean-Clair Todibo and burst away before slipping over. However, he was still able to feed Hutchinson breaking forward on the right and the England U21 international hit a shot into Fabianski’s arms from an angle.

Town began to dominate the ball, the Hammers having started in control, and in the 25th minute, as the home crowd cheered Luongo as he began warming up, a long spell of possession ended with Broadhead curling a shot towards goal and Fabianski, this season’s oldest Premier League player at 40, clawing it away from under the bar.

A minute later, skipper Morsy, making his 150th league start for the Blues, shot not too far wide of Fabianski’s right post, then at the other end Niclas Fullkrug poked a toe at a cross from the right with Tuanzebe, playing his 50th Premier League match, in front of him but only diverted the ball to Walton.

As the game reached the half hour, VAR checked a challenge on Fullkrug from Dara O’Shea as the two chased down a ball through the middle - with a linesman’s flag surprisingly not raised - but decided there was no case to answer.

Five minutes later, Max Kilman was shown the game’s first yellow card for catching Hirst in the back of his head with an elbow on halfway.

In the 36th minute, a slick move from the Blues involving Morsy, Chaplin and Broadhead ended with Leif Davis failing to pick out a teammate having been played in on the left.

Three minutes later, Bowen and Ward-Prowse exchanged passes on the edge of the Town area, the Hammers captain hitting a shot which Walton batted way. Ward-Prowse’s follow-up was blocked and the Town keeper pounced on the loose ball.

Moments afterwards, Hutchinson ran onto a ball over Ollie Scarles on the right and hit a shot which struck the outside of the post. However, the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.

As so often after Town been well in a half and had had chances, the opposition went in front, the Hammers taking the lead in the 43rd minute courtesy of a mix-up in the Blues’ defence.

Tuanzebe took a throw on the right midway inside the Town half and found Morsy, but the Egypt international’s pass backwards towards Greaves was wayward and seized on by Bowen, who cut to his right to Ward-Prowse, who made no mistake from 10 yards with only Walton to beat.

The goal was the last action of a half which was a microcosm of Town’s season as a whole.

West Ham had started strongly but without seriously threatening but the Blues had grown into the game and as the half-hour approached were on top but without making that superiority tell, Fabianski having been forced into one impressive save from Broadhead.

However, a mistake at the back of the type which has been common over the course of the campaign gifted the Hammers the lead two minutes before the break.

Seven minutes after the restart, the Blues levelled with the 300th goal under manager McKenna.

Greaves picked up a long ball on halfway, played it forward to Cajuste, who moved it on to Broadhead, who turned, wafted past the not overly committed Todibo before smashing a powerful strike past Fabianski to the keeper’s left.

Broadhead’s second goal of the season and first at Portman Road in more than a year was celebrated wildly by a North Stand crowd which had witnessed only six goals at their end in the Premier League this season.

Parity lasted only three minutes, Bowen, making his 300th appearance for the Hammers, played a one-two with Aaron Wan-Bissaka to bring the ball in from the right before slamming a powerful shot past Walton.

Town looked to get back on terms again quickly, West Ham failing to clear their lines after a free-kick on the left and Morsy hitting a low shot which Fabianski held down to his right.

On 66, Greaves won a free-kick on the left after getting round the outside of Todibo on the byline. Davis sent in a low ball to the edge of the six-yard box to Chaplin but the forward mis-kicked and scuffed across the face.

Town made their first changes of the afternoon in the 70th minute, Hirst making way for Delap and Chaplin for Clarke with the Town crowd giving warm ovations to all four. Broadhead moved into the number 10 role.

The subs almost made an immediate mark, Clarke crossing low from the left towards Delap but just too far in front of the former Manchester City man. On 73, West Ham switched Scarles and Fullkrug for Coufal and Kudus.

Town made another double change in the 78th minute, Jack Taylor taking over from Cajuste, who has enjoyed a very successful loan spell with the Blues from Serie A champions, and Broadhead, Town’s brightest performer on the day, making way for Szmodics against the club he supports.

West Ham made another double change in the 80th minute, with the game now having very much an end-of-season feel, Lucas Paqueta and Guido Rodriguez replacing Edson Alvarez and Ward-Prowse.

Two minutes later, after Delap had been booked for a trademark shove on Konstantinos Mavrapanos, Clarke, who had caused the Hammers’ defence more than a few problems after coming on, curled a shot not too far past Fabianski’s left post having cut in from the left.

The Hammers sealed the three points in the 87th minute, sub Kudus curling a shot beyond Walton from the edge of the area.

Ahead of the restart, Town swapped skipper Morsy for Luongo, the Australian, such a key member of the team which won back-to-back promotions, receiving a huge ovation from the Blues support and the captain’s armband from his long-time midfield partner for his final minutes in a Town shirt.

Seconds later, Town went very close to their second goal of the afternoon. Clarke again did well on the left before crossing low towards the far post where Hutchinson was able to divert on target but somehow Kilman slid in to block.

With the game in the second of seven additional minutes, West Ham brought on Cresswell for his final appearance after 11 years, the left-back replacing Todibo and receiving a warm reception from both sets of fans.

In the sixth minute of injury time, Szmodics won the ball midway inside the West Ham half, then fed Delap, who looked to be trying too hard to go out with a bang and scuffed his shot across the face of goal.

That was the last action of a match which was all too typical of Town’s season back in the top flight with 14 home defeats overall and nine on the bounce new club records.

The Blues, who finish 19th and have taken no points at home in 2025, had more than held their own in the first half and the Hammers only went in front as a result of the mix-up between Morsy and Greaves, the sort of mistake which has happened all too often this season and gets clinically punished in the Premier League.

Broadhead, one of a number of players who will feel he only showed his attributes fleetingly in the top flight, got Town back on terms but the Blues again quickly gave a goal away at a time when the momentum appeared to be with them.

Kudus’s third came at a time Town were seeing most of the ball and were looking for a second goal but as has been the case so often this season without finding it.

Following the whistle, the Blues players and staff made their way back down the tunnel before returning for the end-of-season lap of appreciation joined by their children. Fans and players applauded one another as they made their way around the pitch.

A disappointing season but one which has ended with the club’s fans and players firmly united ahead of next season’s Championship promotion push.

Town: Walton, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c) (Luongo 88), Cajuste (Taylor 78), Hutchinson, Chaplin (Clarke 70), Broadhead (Szmodics 78), Hirst (Delap 70). Unused: Slicker, Woolfenden, Burgess, Boniface.

West Ham: Fabianski, Ward-Prowse (Rodriguez 80), Fullkrug (Kudus 73), Mavropanos, Alvarez (Paqueta 80), Bowen (c), Todibo (Cresswell 92), Kilman, Soucek, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles (Coufal 73). Unused: Areola, Guilherme, Ings, Irving. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). VAR official: Matt Donohue. Att: 29,771 (West Ham: 2,991).

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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Flight_of_Shefki added 19:37 - May 25

Well, I said this at the top - I came in with no expectations. We did do worse than I had felt would be a floor on performance, but great to be back in the PL and I look forward to next season.

The disparity between Championship and PL is too wide, so it's not embarrassing to be going back down. Unless you are one of the usual top 6, it will take a miracle to achieve anything.

Let's enjoy the break, look forward to what happens and downwards and onwards and all that. Everything is a lesson, let's hope we've learnt.

EssexTractor added 19:42 - May 25

Very few will return home happy after the referees final whistle of the season was blown,
We aimed for it , we got there with our squad too early . We all know that now
But 12 and 24 months ago those months of May were full of happiness and joy and looking forward and mustn’t be forgotten and should be a reason for renewing tickets again.
But we met a monster..or a “ monstrous entity “;with its billionaire openers its squads of experienced Premiership players..The Premier League, with its grounds full of tourists, and nowhere near the joyous atmosphere created by ITFCs travelling supporters
We were out muscled, out thought, out paced.
We tried hard but simply not good enough over too many 90 minute matches.
We bought who was available at the prices affordable in our kitty
We now know that was not enough to sustain winning performances and retain a place in that League
But again look back 12 months, Leicester City Ipswich Town Southampton playing terrific Championship football and look at us all now
Good luck to those now going up , but you will need more than that.
For us to go up again the summers recruitment policy is surely to be tested, for after the expected transfers, those remaining are not properly equipped to be favourites or near to it.
The clubs worst ever season statistically , only a few moments from 38 matches to watch again , goals from Cajuste , Encisco and Broadhead today ( yes a home goal) worthy of applause.
Well done to Delap but in recent times his head seems to have been filled with thoughts of moving to a “ mega club”..if he goes who can blame him truly.
Gone are the days of loyalty, instead we read of relegation clauses, greedy agents
Thanks to O Shea for showing he can defend and to Burgess when given the chance
More thanks to Massimo for his lovely skilful performances in helping to get us to “ the Promised Land”
For those who thought the joy was just going to the big stadiums and seeing oppositions international players was worth last seasons escalation , they must realise that much of the enjoyment of attending football matches was to be entertained by our team , this season very sadly that was a failure
But as football supporters we will look forward to the fixtures from August and wait for the last week of June to know when we can try once more and hopefully be happy again .
Bring on Wrexham !

barrystedmunds added 19:42 - May 25

Relegation comes as no surprise to me as it’s always been on the cards, statistics were against us since last May.
It’s the manner in which we’ve “ achieved “ it that is the disappointing thing for me.
After the Chelski result I thought we were getting to grips with this league but sadly we went the other way.
Losing to Southampton was the nail in the coffin for me and the loss to manure United was galling.
I think we’re in good hands and I’m confident KMcK knows what needs to be done.
But TF this season is over!!

gippeswyk added 19:45 - May 25

How can people say it's our worst season ever? They must be "new fans" that didn't support the club in the dark days of Lg1 before the transformation that put us on the same pitch as Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea etc and in record time. Yes it's disappointing that Town were outplayed most games but it was to be expected as all 3 promoted teams went straight back down, as they did last year. People also forget Town's injury crisis that didn't help. At times half the squad was unavailable - Ogbene, Philogene, Smzodics, Broadhead, Burns, Chaplin, Greaves, Axel etc. I don't think it's fair to say we wasted £100m. With a fully fit squad and decent preseason, I think Town will be too strong for most teams in the Championship. We need good replacements for Delap and Cajuste.

dugoutdave added 19:49 - May 25 Well the optimism at the beginning of the season has now dissolved. Was hopeful of staying in even if only just. Many have played and found wanting at times but have given their all. Very few games have we been overwhelmed. However after today's game I do question if Hutchinson really wants to be here.
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BlueInBerks added 19:51 - May 25

ArnieM. You are spot on, they never expected a double promotion. It was indeed a free hit and because they had not planned around equipping themselves for the Prem, in the main they bought young and/or Brit players that would return dividends when sold. The injection of funds has been very welcome, as has the experience gained. This has NOT been an unsuccessful season for these reasons.

baxterbasics added 19:52 - May 25 It's been a disappointing season for sure. But some of the clown comments I am seeing here... sheesh. The team and manager are not an embarrassment, but certain 'supporters' (or armchair followers) really are.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:00 - May 25

well the best thing about today ,indeed the season ,is its now over .Spent the season hoping we could defy the odds and stay up,sadly that hope that hope melted away as 2nd half of season progressed. Brushing the season into the bin now ,and looking forward to hopefully a good season in Championship.HAVE A GOOD CHILL NOW EVERYONE. We now enter the linked ,rumour and counter rumour season, get your popcorn in . COYB

bluebullet29l added 20:03 - May 25 One win at home...enough said...pathetic
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darkhorse28 added 20:05 - May 25

That starting xi, was very similar to the group that came up. Greaves and O’Shea aren’t an upgrade on Burgess and Wolf (not a lot in it at least).

We spent £150 million, where’s the players that are actually much better than what we have?

Delap won’t be here, Hutch obviously made a perm, and Philogene injured, but even they don’t stand out as big upgrades. I’ve never seen anyone spend so much, and not improve. Clarke isn’t better than Broady, Sammie and Chappers are similar quality, and Ogbenne according to KM is Mbeppe because he hasn’t played, but he’s looked a great athlete with zero experience nd product and no better than Butns when I’ve seen him.

McKenna deserves the goodwill and patience, but he looks absolutely lost at this level, talent ID, tactics, in game management have been way off the level,

Hutchinson, although disappointing, clearly is levels above any player in our squad, if he go’s we have a huge problem.

The championship next season is full of teams full of the desire and togetherness we had last season…, desperate to get to the promised land…, it will be anything but easy.

Sake. We below a generational opportunity didn’t we.

Ipswichbusiness added 20:17 - May 25

I’m afraid that the result sums up our season;; we couldn’t win at home and we couldn’t beat sides in the lower half of the table. In short, we weren’t good enough.

I do not criticise KMc or Mark Ashton. They played their hand as well as they could. The numbers show that newly promoted teams are likely to be relegated in their first season. Therefore signing proven PL players is very difficult as they won’t want to take the risk. The Club had to resort to signing quality Championship players, players with relegated teams or loans of top flight players who had a risk (such as Cajuste or Phillips) attached to them. Personally, I think that we are well placed to bounce straight back up if we make a couple of good signings (central midfield will be critical).

backwaywhen added 20:42 - May 25 Nottsblue66 Off you go up the A140 there’s a good chap …….
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DifferentGravy added 20:44 - May 25 So....to confirm.......this year (2025)......same tactics.....same formation.........same outcome. Found out
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Tedray added 20:52 - May 25

next year is a bit of a concrn.If we lose Axel,Dara Cameron and say Leif there is not that much left in defence. As to the midfield - there is nothing there. Up front we need to sort "yesterdays men" who appear frail and are continually injured. I therefore cannot see the existance of a so called strong squad.It will be very interesting though how the Club fornulate the plans for the new season.

tobymeadz91 added 20:55 - May 25

Blimey, all the negativity!!

It’s a very fickle game.

People soon forget the McCarthy / Jewell days where we had a shoddy pitch (our pitch was immaculate today) and shoddy footy.

This season was pretty poor however, what about all the excitement etc..

Do I think 10 players in and 10 players out - Yes

Do I think a slow start - Yes

Do I think top 6 next season - honestly think we will be in the mix but not as high as you think.

Either way, be pleased to not play on a Sunday at 4pm with VAR.

Bring on next season (with £100m to spend)

bigbluetractor added 21:11 - May 25 A lot of you don't go to matches and it shows. 20k in the stadium applauding the players and staff at the end of the match, singing McKenna's name and looking forward to next season. Thank God it isn't you lot.
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planetblue_2011 added 21:14 - May 25

I haven’t really slated McKenna for the time he’s been in charge he has worked wonders & im not slating him for today’s result either, we are down & it showed that today. The first half was like a friendly. Westham took their chances well but can’t say we were beaten by a better side because we wasn’t.
I am slating him for not bringing Massy on earlier, for what he done for the club at league one & championship season was phenomenal with Morsy & Only to bring him on 85th minute & added time was awful. He should have got at least 30 mins game time & had a proper send off.
Good luck Massy wherever u end up you’ve been fantastic, a true legend for ITFC.

Linkboy13 added 21:15 - May 25

If the players are not good enough and it's obvious they are not dosent make a difference what formation you play they are not capable of carrying it out. It was obvious after the final whistle today the support for Keiran McKenna is overwhelming not the slightest evidence of any booing at all. Although West Ham were poor today the gulf in class was there to see faster physically stronger in almost every department and more clinical in their finishing no tactics can change that. Clarke looked good when he came on when the pace had dropped. Broadhead showed some nice touches and would be a good Premier league player if he was much bigger physically. Morsy was looking good until he gifted West Ham a goal. Don't know about you but i am glad this Sky circus is over it stinks.

Suffolkboy added 21:27 - May 25

The end of any season brings out the ‘crying ‘ need for expression and emotion — and boy do we get some ‘clap trap ‘ on here !
In the next few weeks we shall see the careful wisdom and budgeting exercised by MA ad KM has been well thought through and cleverly exercised .Financial control has been immaculate , with far sighted expenditure .
As a supporter for 70 yrs I’m sure I reflect the ongoing pride in ITFC ,all who represent us ,and the personal efforts and commitment to principle ,honesty , loyalty and integrity . We have lots to savour with more to come !
COYB

TimmyH added 21:37 - May 25

Still hearing guff about it was 'a season too soon' for being promoted - it wouldn't have made any difference! Only difference would have been our Championship/league one players would have had another season together, you still need the quality to compete in the Premiership and our involvement in the transfer market in both windows wasn't particularly brilliant and those who largely got us up struggled.

philpott2 added 22:09 - May 25

Well at £200 a game for three of us to 'enjoy' matches at Portman Road this season, nine matches that we successfully obtained them for....factoring in trains and/or car travel. That's approaching £2k spent this season.....for no more than 200 minutes of what could be called football and associated effort.
The rest has been, drab, inconsistent dirge, weak, ineffective, half-hearted and in the main just one plan/tactic.
The ride to the promised land was superb, decisions or lack of was coped with because it would be better in the Prem what with VAR and better quality officials.....yeah, right. Has been quite the let-down in so many ways.
Fingers crossed we sort the transfer ins and outs asap, well before pre season.
Fans though, all of you, have been superb, the support on match day immense!

philpott2 added 22:09 - May 25

philpott2 added 22:29 - May 25 And apologies for a duplicate post....was getting pretty worked up typing it and a double hit of my phone and whoops. Probably an age thing, what with supporting Town for over 50+ years, and going to games for 40 of them, on and off. But at least we've the Chelsea win (at home!!!) to remember........
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RobsonWark added 22:32 - May 25 The biggest disappointment this season is not being able to beat Leicester and Southampton after we signed the so called "best Championship players". The Championship clubs that got promoted with us and we could not beat them. We have gone backwards this season.
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