West Ham United cruised past Stevenage with James Ward-Prowse, Taty Castellanos, Lewis Orford, Josh Ajala and Jett Murphy all scoring in a 5-0 win at Broadhall Way.
Here is how Hammers News rated the players.
Mads Hermansen – 5/10
Very little to do, in terms of actual shot-stopping from West Ham United’s number one. Hermansen’s distribution was ropey, though, and he got caught in no-man’s land on one occasion.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 6/10
Gave away a penalty early on at Southend and looked vulnerable at the start here too. Got beaten far too early by a Stevenage winger in the opening seven minutes, with Kante bailing him out.
Good going forward though and was always an outlet.
Max Kilman – 8/10
Composed and comfortable. Kilman laid the foundations for the Hammers’ second goal when shrugging an attacker off the ball before playing an early pass into Bowen. Defensively, unruffled.
Airidas Golambeckis – 7/10
Really cool on the ball, good positioning too. The only one to remain on the pitch after half-time. The 18-year-old doesn’t play like an 18-year-old.
Subbed off late on after an awkward landing.
Ollie Scarles – 5/10
Probably the quietest of West Ham’s outfield players. Offered little in attack.
Mohamadou Kante – 8/10
Co-commentator and former Hammers stalwart James Collins wanted to see more from Kante, and he would get his wish in Hertfordshire.
Seemed to play within himself three days ago but was much more positive here. The highlight being a superb diagonal to Walker-Peters which led to a Hammers corner. Extremely happy to receive the ball in tight spaces.
James Ward-Prowse – 9/10
There are some West Ham fans who think Ward-Prowse warrants a second chance. Admittedly against third-tier opposition, the former England international gave Nuno plenty to ponder.
He was the stand-out player here, in and out of possession. Ward-Prowse made a really good run into space to open the scoring at the second attempt. Showed real leadership with his off the ball work too. Bailed Hammers out of a defensive mess with vital interception in the box.
Capped a fabulous first-half with a wonderful backheel on the volley. Looked a player transformed
Jarrod Bowen – 8/10
Extremely sharp. Some feel that the Championship’s G/A record may be under threat from Bowen next season, and he grabbed his first unofficial assist of 2026/27 tonight. A lovely through ball into Taty made the striker’s finish a formality.
Also played a major part in Ward-Prowse’s opener by setting Pablo away with a similar defence-splitting pass.
Really sharp start, summed up by impudent back heel flick. Great through ball to set Pablo away for the goal. Another superb through ball for Taty goal
Keiber Lamadrid – 7/10
Lamadrid did a passable impression of Mateus Fernandes in Essex. He wasn’t quite such a stand-out today but the young Venezuelan again buzzed around the pitch, picking up the ball in all sorts of positions.
Got away with a couple of loose touches though.
Pablo Felipe – 7/10
Did alright. Will be disappointed he was denied an assist when Ward-Prowse failed to convert at the first time of asking but, like at Southend, Pablo was a threat when drifting wide to the right.
Taty Castellanos – 8/10
Took his goal beautifully.
In addition, Taty dropped really deep and his link-play was extremely good, capped by glorious first-touch, round-the-corner-pass to set Bowen away. A wonderful technician.
Substitutes
Alphonse Areola – 8/10
By far the busier – and most impressive – of the two goalkeepers. Areola lit up the game with a truly world-class save as a Josh Magennis header flashed towards the top corner.
In addition, Areola made a trio of saves in the 50th minute. Very alert and still capable of the spectacular.
Ryan Battrum – 7/10
The right-back played in a central midfield role with Junior Robinson behind Maxwel Cornet on the flank.
Did an unflashy job diligently and claimed an assist thanks to Orford. Showed his versatility again when filling in at left-back following Golambeckis’ injury.
What does Mohamadou Kante have to do to ESTABLISH himself at West Ham?
James Collins makes some good points…
Kaelan Casey – 6/10
Understandably was first to thank Ajala as the striker diverted Casey’s wild volley into the Stevenage net.
Ezra Mayers – 6/10
Denied an assist when Maxwel Cornet smashed the post from point-blank range. Moved into centre-half late on.
Junior Robinson – 6/10
Robinson is still at West Ham despite his contract expiring at the beginning of June. Playing for his future and should have plenty of interest in lower-level EFL and high-level non-league sides.
Preston Fearon – 8/10
Gorgeous through-ball into Marshall for his big chance. Always looks to create. Fine trivela pass for the fifth goal.
Lewis Orford – 8/10
Sublime first-time finish against the side he represented on loan last season. Silky smooth and oozes class.
Josh Ajala – 8/10
Like against Southend, Ajala did not need asking twice when taking on his full-back. Looks a nightmare to play against with his speed and directness.
One lovely curling cross forced a dramatic Stevenage intervention. Deserved his goal, instinctively flicking in Casey’s volley. His nuisance-factor was key to Murphy’s late strike.
Callum Marshall – 6/10
Should’ve scored just before the hour. Great movement to dart in behind but his finish was too close to Phillip Marshall. Always on the shoulder and waiting for a sniff.
Maxwel Cornet – 5/10
Missed a sitter at the back post. Didn’t matter for the Hammers as Orford scored seconds later, but will have frustrated the Ivorian.
Connor Brooks – N/A
Academy Manager Kenny Brown called Brooks a ‘special’ talent when the teenager signed a new contract last week. Entered the fray late on here after Golambeckis ambled off.
Jett Murphy – N/A
Brief cameo for Murphy, signed from Chelmsford City last month. Marked his first outing with a late tap-in.
Joel Kerr – N/A
On late.
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