West Ham got their first victory of the Premier League Summer Series in the United States as they cruised past a depleted Everton side in Chicago.
The Hammers bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United with a 2-1 victory of their own as they continue their pre-season campaign.
Everton got the first goal of the game through Idrissa Gana Gueye, but the Hammers fought their way back into the game with goals from Lucas Paqueta and Niclas Fullkrug.
Here are four things we learnt from West Ham’s performance:
-
The kids are alright
The Academy of Football is famed for making exciting, young players, and it looks like it’s made two more who could be in contention for the first team next season.
Freddie Potts started the game and looked assured in the centre of a midfield three, moving the ball quickly for the attack, and looking more confident than James Ward-Prowse and Andy Irving, despite being much younger.
The 21-year-old was a crucial player for Championship side Portsmouth in his loan spell last season, and if he continues his tidy performances, he could become a regular starter in the midfield for the Hammers.
Similarly, striker Callum Marshall played the opening 45 minutes of the game and looked a constant threat to the Toffees' defence, turning experienced defender Michael Keane inside and out in the first half.
The Northern Ireland international scored against Swiss side Grasshoppers in the Hammers' first pre-season friendly, and with only one registered senior striker at the club, Marshall could get a lot of game time in the Irons' starting 11.
-
Paqueta stars
Despite being officially announced the day after the game, it was reported by The Times last Friday that Paqueta had been cleared of his spot-fixing charges, and it’s clear the Brazilian is now playing with a newfound freedom.
The 27-year-old was orchestrating play like he usually does, with Graham Potter allowing the skilful midfielder to have a free-roaming position, linking up with Marshall, Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen across the 88 minutes that he played before being replaced by young Lewis Orford.
Paqueta reacted quickest for West Ham’s first goal, when Mark Travers fumbled the ball in the box, tapping into an empty net for his second goal of pre-season.
Reports suggest that Paqueta would like to leave, with interest from the Brazilian side Flamengo, but the midfielder could return to the form we saw in his first season with the club in Potter’s side this campaign.
-
Fullkrug makes his mark
The German International is still the only recognised senior striker at the club, with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings still yet to be replaced, and Fullkrug seems to be relishing the opportunity at the Hammers.
The 32-year-old got the winning goal after receiving the ball from Paqueta and confidently firing into the bottom right corner for his first goal in pre-season.
But it was not just the goal that impressed fans, it was the German’s link-up play with the midfield. Often, the imposing striker would drop deep to receive the ball before turning to find the more advanced Bowen.
After a difficult first season in London with the Hammers, which was riddled with injuries, it looks to be that Fullkrug has finally settled in and will be an important player next season for West Ham.
-
Room for improvement
Despite the victory, there are still areas where the Hammers could improve.
One of these areas is the goalkeeper, with Wes Foderingham looking uncomfortable in between the sticks. The Hammers are reported to be interested in Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen or Japanese stopper Zion Suzuki.
The midfield is another area to improve, as it continues to lack creativity, pace or energy, with players like Ward-Prowse, Andy Irving, Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek not providing the qualities that the Hammers need in the midfield.
The next two weeks of the transfer window will prove to be important for West Ham going into the 2025/26 season.
