West Ham Secure 5-0 Pre-Season Victory Over Stevenage 2026

Key Points

• Dominant Victory: West Ham United recorded a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
• Early Goals: Midfielder James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring in the 13th minute, followed by a 25th-minute strike from forward Taty Castellanos.
• Academy Impact: Following ten substitutions at half-time by head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, academy players Lewis Orford, Josh Ajala, and summer recruit Jett Murphy added three second-half goals.
• Key Returning Figures: James Ward-Prowse featured prominently after returning from his half-season loan spell at Burnley during the second half of the 2025–26 campaign.

West Ham (East London Times) July 25, 2026 – West Ham United launched their pre-season campaign preparations with a emphatic 5-0 victory against League One side Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Wednesday evening. Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo utilised a split squad, field-testing established senior players alongside prominent academy prospects. Midfielder James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring in the 13th minute, tapping home a rebound from Pablo Felipe’s deflected delivery. Forward Taty Castellanos doubled the advantage in the 25th minute following a pass from captain Jarrod Bowen. Ten second-half changes saw academy stars Lewis Orford, Josh Ajala, and new arrival Jett Murphy extend the scoreline, while goalkeeper Alphonse Areola preserved the clean sheet with several key saves.

What were the key moments during West Ham’s 5-0 win against Stevenage?

As reported by Malik Ouzia of Standard Sport, West Ham United established control of the encounter from the opening whistle. The opening goal originated deep within West Ham’s defensive half through a sequence involving Keiber Lamadrid, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jarrod Bowen, and Pablo Felipe.

As reported by Malik Ouzia of Standard Sport, James Ward-Prowse initiated the movement before following his run into the penalty box, stating that the 31-year-old midfielder

“opened the scoring as he finished at the second time of asking from Pablo Felipe’s cross before helping his side weather some rare Stevenage pressure with a few key defensive interventions.”

The lead was doubled twelve minutes later through an interception by defender Maximilian Kilman. As documented in the match report published on the official West Ham United website, Kilman dispossessed Olly Sanderson before supplying Jarrod Bowen, who turned and dispatched a precise through ball for Taty Castellanos to place past Stevenage goalkeeper Filip Marschall into the bottom corner.

How did the second half unfold after Nuno Espírito Santo made ten squad changes?

Nuno Espírito Santo elected to substitute ten outfield players at the half-time interval, retaining only 18-year-old central defender Airidas Golambeckis from the starting eleven.

Stevenage created temporary pressure early in the second period, forcing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola into multiple interventions.

As detailed by the official West Ham United media team, Areola handled a header from Josh Magennis, tipped over a long-range strike from Terry Taylor, and parried a header from Luther James-Wildin. Defensive blocks from Golambeckis and Young Hammer of the Year recipient Ezra Mayers maintained the clean sheet.

West Ham regained tactical control in the 68th minute. Following an attempt by Maxwel Cornet that struck the woodwork, full-back Ryan Battrum recycled the ball to Lewis Orford. As noted by ReadWestHam reporter Alex Smith, Orford “met Ryan Battrum’s pass with a first-time finish which curled into the far corner” to make the score 3-0.

In the 77th minute, a corner kick delivered by Maxwel Cornet led to defender Kaelan Casey volleying towards goal, with the ball deflecting into the net via academy forward Josh Ajala. In the 90th minute, 17-year-old recruit Jett Murphy converted from close range to finalize the 5-0 margin.

Which individual players stood out during the pre-season fixture?

As reported by Malik Ouzia of Standard Sport, James Ward-Prowse’s long-term future at the club had been subject to speculation following his loan transfer to Burnley in January 2026. However, his performance at Broadhall Way showcased his tactical utility.

As reported by Malik Ouzia of Standard Sport,

“Ward-Prowse’s set-piece deliveries give West Ham a real edge, while his experience and composure will prove useful with an expectation on the Hammers to get hold of the ball and play front-footed football this season.”

What was Taty Castellanos’ contribution to West Ham’s attack?

Forward Taty Castellanos led the forward line during the first half alongside Jarrod Bowen. As reported by Alex Smith of ReadWestHam, Castellanos’ goal arrived amidst ongoing transfer speculation regarding his future at London Stadium.

As reported by Alex Smith of ReadWestHam,

“Everton retain an interest, but West Ham now expect the Argentine to stay,”

adding that

“Castellanos’ performance also strengthened his claim to lead the attack this season. His movement caused Stevenage problems, while his composed finish offered another reminder of his quality.”

Which academy and young players made an impact on the match?

Several younger squad members received substantial playing time across both halves:

• Airidas Golambeckis (18): Played as a central defender across both halves, recording multiple key blocks during Stevenage’s second-half spell of possession.
• Mohamadou Kanté (20): Operated in central midfield during the first half, demonstrating physical presence and forward distribution.
• Keiber Lamadrid (22): Played in advanced midfield, contributing directly to the buildup sequence for the opening goal.
• Lewis Orford: Introduced at half-time and scored West Ham’s third goal with a curved shot from the edge of the penalty area.

What is the background to West Ham’s recent developments?

West Ham United entered the 2026 pre-season schedule following a transitional period under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. The fixture against Stevenage at Broadhall Way marked the club’s second public warm-up match of the summer campaign, following a 1-1 draw against Southend United.

During the January 2026 transfer window, senior figures such as midfielder James Ward-Prowse were allowed to depart on short-term loans, with Ward-Prowse joining Premier League side Burnley for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.

Concurrently, squad roster adjustments involved continuous evaluations of first-team forwards, including Argentine striker Taty Castellanos, who attracted interest from rival Premier League clubs including Everton.

The club has simultaneously integrated prospects from the Academy of Football into first-team training routines to supplement senior depth following key player departures and tactical restructuring ahead of the 2026–27 competitive domestic campaign.

What is the prediction for West Ham United following this pre-season fixture?

The 5-0 victory against Stevenage offers early indications regarding how Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad structure and tactical setups will directly affect West Ham United supporters and the first-team coaching staff ahead of the upcoming season:

1. Impact on First-Team Roster Selection: James Ward-Prowse’s goalscoring contribution and defensive work rate increase the likelihood of his retention within the senior midfield rotation. His inclusion provides squad depth alongside Mohamadou Kanté and Keiber Lamadrid.
2. Impact on Forward Line Stability: Taty Castellanos’ starting role and goal scoring confirm his positional standing under Nuno Espírito Santo, reducing the immediate likelihood of a summer transfer to domestic competitors like Everton and securing stability in central attack.
3. Impact on Academy Player Progression: The second-half performances of Lewis Orford, Kaelan Casey, Airidas Golambeckis, and Jett Murphy indicate that Nuno Espírito Santo will possess viable home-grown depth options to manage squad rotation across domestic cup fixtures and league fixture congestion.