Wearing a black bomber jacket despite the unusual heat and accompanied by a substantial security detail, David Sullivan settled into his seat. Ignoring advice from the stadium operators, serious accusations against him and widespread public criticism, West Ham’s leading shareholder and former co-chair remained highly visible with his arms folded.
West Ham secured an encouraging place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a relatively comfortable victory over Portsmouth. They will now rejoin clubs they previously faced in the Premier League, while their Championship campaign starts at Burnley next Sunday. It remains uncertain whether Sullivan will make the journey north, although the possibility cannot be dismissed.
“It had no effect on me or the players,” Nuno Espírito Santo said when questioned about the unexpected visitor. “Our attention stays on the pitch. We cannot allow outside noise to distract us because there will be plenty of it. We concentrate on the match, and the players carried out their responsibilities well.”
Before the match, the London Stadium’s large screen displayed a “countdown to walkout”, referring to the players entering the field rather than supporters leaving in protest. Given West Ham’s situation in 2026, the potential misunderstanding was understandable. Despite previous supporter rebellions and a summer filled with tension and frustration, there were surprisingly few clear signs of unrest as the 2026-27 season began.
Although Sullivan’s attendance had been anticipated, no protesters gathered at the entrance to the directors’ parking area, and the roads surrounding the London Stadium remained calm. Demonstrations targeting Sullivan and his former colleague Karren Brady had previously been common there.
Even after Sullivan was spotted inside the ground, there was nothing comparable to the hostile reaction heard last season. The loudest first-half jeers instead arrived during a mid-half hydration break, which was accompanied by an unusual selection of 1990s dance music.
The intense heat and a renewed sense of hope may have eased some of the anger that followed confirmation of the Hammers’ relegation in May. Long-serving supporters are familiar with demotion, as the club has suffered relegation in every decade since the 1970s.
The opening rendition of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles overwhelmed the Pompey Chimes sung by 9,000 travelling Portsmouth fans. As often happens at the London Stadium, the away supporters mocked the venue and the agreement that made it West Ham’s home.
Football had rarely taken centre stage during West Ham’s turbulent summer, which included internal disputes following Sullivan’s removal from the board. This cup tie provided a useful rehearsal for the club’s promotion challenge. The reshaped team still looked similar to its predecessor, despite player sales worth £151m involving Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and Freddie Potts. Joël Veltman, the only summer arrival to date, entered the match with three minutes remaining.
Edson Álvarez, who spent the previous season on loan at Fenerbahce, started in midfield alongside Lewis Orford. The 20-year-old is expected to follow academy graduates such as Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Mark Noble, with Noble now acting as one of his mentors. Orford delivered an assured performance on his introduction to the senior side.
“The enthusiasm provided by young players is extremely valuable to us,” Nuno said. “We have a responsibility to improve those coming through the academy. That forms an important part of our long-term plan.”
A slow opening half-hour with little meaningful action ended when Portsmouth took the lead. Adrian Segecic’s effort found the net after deflecting off Maximilian Kilman, whose costly mistakes have too often placed him at the centre of problems.
West Ham required another 10 minutes to respond. Mohamadou Kanté produced a clever turning feint before setting up Taty Castellanos for the equaliser. Shortly afterwards, captain Jarrod Bowen struck powerfully to put the hosts ahead. After providing rare stability during the previous season, Bowen has remained to lead the club’s promotion effort. “Jarrod demonstrates his dedication to us every day,” Nuno said.
Those goals highlighted the quality that should make West Ham strong candidates for an immediate Premier League return, although success cannot be assumed. “If you allow them even a small opportunity, they will punish you,” Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said.
Sullivan showed little emotion during the celebrations and returned for a second half that began with Castellanos heading in Bowen’s cross. A match that could have become another afternoon of anger and bitterness instead gave supporters reasons for encouragement. Shortly after the hour mark, however, chants of “Stand up if you hate the board” echoed around the stadium.
Although Sullivan is no longer part of the board, the chant was clearly aimed at him. He has ignored similar criticism for many years and appears determined to continue doing so.
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