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By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X) West Ham might not have played at their best in today’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth at the London Stadium, but there was plenty to be optimistic about. Sure, the Hammers started with a limp and went behind in the first half. But there was also a sense that whenever West Ham really wanted to score, they could. Despite being outfought early in the game, when the time came and the afterburners were applied, Nuno Espírito Santo’s team had enough to blow Pompey away. Quality Eventually Told Jarrod Bowen’s quality stood out Make no mistake about it, this West Ham squad still needs new blood. However, the club’s decision to hang on to key players following relegation paid off handsomely. Jarrod Bowen and Taty Castellanos delivered on a day when the difference in individual quality between Premier League and Championship players was clear. As was evident during a difficult opening half, Portsmouth weren’t lacking in effort or intensity. What they lacked was cutting edge. It was telling that the goal which gave their superb 9,000-strong travelling support early encouragement required a deflection off Edson Álvarez to beat Mads Hermansen. Aside from that, Portsmouth’s final pass, cross or corner continually fell short at the crucial moment. West Ham, by contrast, possessed players capable of punishing mistakes. Plenty Still To Improve That’s not to suggest everything is suddenly rosy. The concerns from West Ham’s final pre-season game against Magdeburg haven’t disappeared. The squad still lacks pace in key areas and desperately needs reinforcements before the transfer window closes. But there was also something reassuring about seeing West Ham’s better players simply turn up the dial when required. There will be far tougher tests ahead during the Championship campaign. For today, though, the Hammers did what they needed to do and eventually wrapped up a convincing 3-1 victory.