West Ham United ended the 2024-25 season with a 3-1 victory away from home against relegated Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.
Attacker Nathan Broadhead produced the best chance of the opening 30 minutes when his curled shot travelled towards the top-right corner, but departing shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski was equal to his attempt.
The Hammers would take the lead shortly before half time thanks to James Ward-Prowse, who admittedly could hardly miss given Jarrod Bowen slid the ball across to him to finish into an empty net after Ipswich needlessly gave away possession.
While Ipswich equalised minutes after the interval thanks to a solo goal from Nathan Broadhead, but Bowen restored the visitors' lead moments later when he struck from distance following good combination play on the right flank.
Mohammed Kudus added a third for West Ham late on when he swivelled and curled a shot into the left corner from just inside the box.
The result means the Hammers end the season in 14th place with 43 points, while Ipswich have finished in 19th place with just 22 points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Iconsport
Ipswich were seen by many prior to the start of the season as one of the favourites to go down, and while their relegation is far from unexpected, boss Kieran McKenna will still be disappointed to have ended the season with six losses and two draws in their last eight.
As for West Ham, the season has undoubtedly fallen short of fans' expectations, but perhaps manager Graham Potter could look to use the momentum of the win to start next season in a better manner.
Potter will need to be backed with funds in order to mould the squad in his image, but he will be under pressure to improve performances.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. WEST HAM UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
43rd min: Ipswich Town 0-1 West Ham United (James Ward-Prowse)
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Bowen intercepts a poor pass back by Ipswich midfielder Sam Morsy, and the forward has the ball inside the penalty area, and despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Christian Walton, Bowen slides a pass across to Ward-Prowse for a finish into an empty net.
A poor goal to concede!
52nd min: Ipswich Town 1-1 West Ham United (Nathan Broadhead)
© Imago
Broadhead collects possession inside West Ham's half in a central area, and he drives forward onto his right foot before striking fiercely into the bottom-left corner.
A brilliant equaliser!
55th min: Ipswich Town 1-2 West Ham United (Jarrod Bowen)
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Bowen combines with Ward-Prowse down the right flank before cutting inside onto his left foot outside the box, and the Englishman fires an effort into the left side of the net.
An outstanding strike!
87th min: Ipswich Town 1-3 West Ham United (Mohammed Kudus)
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Kudus receives the ball inside the box on the right and swivels to set himself up for a curling strike into the left side of the goal.
What a finish!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JARROD BOWEN
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Bowen was once again West Ham's best player, intercepting a poor back pass to provide the assist for the Irons' first, before finding the back of the net himself.
The forward produced the most shots (four) and created the joint most chances (two) among his teammates, and he also completed 43 of his 50 passes, finding the right balance between progression and safety.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. WEST HAM UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich Town 41%-59% West Ham United
Shots: Ipswich Town 14-10 West Ham United
Shots on target: Ipswich Town 4-6 West Ham United
Corners: Ipswich Town 4-0 West Ham United
Fouls: Ipswich Town X-Y West Ham United
BEST STATS
👉Ipswich Town: 1 Goal (14 Shots, 4 On Target, 0.79 xG)
— EPL - Analytics (@DataAnalyticEPL) May 25, 2025
👉West Ham United: 3 Goals (10 Shots, 6 On Target, 1.02 xG)#IPSWHU pic.twitter.com/HmiDV2ao6M
WHAT NEXT?
Ipswich will return to the Championship next season, but they could face a battle to earn promotion back to the top flight should they lose key stars.
Meanwhile, Potter must start next season well with West Ham if he is to avoid coming under further scrutiny, and he will need to be backed in the summer transfer window.
Lewis Nolan
