In a fitting end to a challenging Premier League season, West Ham United secured a 3-1 victory over a relegated Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ensuring a 14th-place finish for the Hammers. The match, played in front of a passionate yet disappointed home crowd, saw West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen shine with a goal and an assist, while Mohammed Kudus sealed the win with a late strike. For Ipswich, the defeat marked their ninth consecutive home loss, cementing their return to the Championship after a difficult campaign.
The game began with both sides showing intent, despite having little to play for beyond pride. Ipswich, already confirmed for relegation, started Christian Walton in goal for his first appearance since January, while West Ham’s Graham Potter made five changes from their previous defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Lukasz Fabianski returning for his final game for the club. The Hammers’ attacking trio of Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, and Tomas Soucek posed a constant threat, and it was West Ham who struck first in the 43rd minute. James Ward-Prowse capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting home to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Ipswich responded after the break, with Nathan Broadhead equalizing in the 52nd minute, sparking brief hope among the Tractor Boys’ faithful. However, their joy was short-lived as Bowen restored West Ham’s lead just three minutes later, latching onto a precise pass from Aaron Wan-Bissaka to fire past Walton. The goal highlighted Bowen’s importance to the Hammers, as he marked his 200th Premier League appearance with a fourth consecutive game finding the net. Ipswich pushed for another equalizer, with Sam Morsy and Omari Hutchinson testing Fabianski, but West Ham’s defense, anchored by Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos, held firm.
As the match neared its conclusion, West Ham put the result beyond doubt. In the 87th minute, Kudus, who had come off the bench, combined with Guido Rodriguez for a slick one-two before curling a superb shot into the net. The goal, described as a moment of quality in an otherwise scrappy affair, prompted little celebration from the scorer, reflecting the bittersweet mood of a season that saw West Ham finish in the bottom half. Ipswich’s late introduction of Massimo Luongo, who received the captain’s armband from Morsy in his final appearance for the club, added an emotional note, as did Aaron Cresswell’s cameo for West Ham, marking his farewell after a long tenure with the Hammers.
For Ipswich, the match encapsulated their struggles at Portman Road, where they won just once all season. Manager Kieran McKenna, speaking before the game, acknowledged the challenges but praised the fans’ unwavering support. The Tractor Boys, who managed only 22 points and suffered 18 defeats in their last 25 games, now face a summer of rebuilding in the Championship. West Ham, meanwhile, avoided a fourth consecutive final-day defeat, a small consolation in a campaign that fell short of expectations under Potter. The Hammers’ victory, their third away win of 2025, offers a glimmer of optimism as they head into a crucial transfer window.
The result leaves West Ham above rivals Tottenham and Manchester United in the final standings, a minor victory in a season of turmoil. For Ipswich, the focus shifts to regrouping for a Championship return, with young talents like Liam Delap, who is exploring options for next season, providing hope for the future.