Taty Castellanos scored twice in an emphatic comeback win as West Ham beat Portsmouth 3-1 in front of the largest-ever crowd at a Carabao Cup first-round match.
The Argentinian’s brace helped get the Hammers’ season off to a winning start and propelled them through to the second round, two months after suffering Premier League relegation.
It also gave their rowdy fans something to cheer about on a day when under-fire West Ham co-owner David Sullivan sat in the stands, despite being advised not to attend by London Stadium operators amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct – which he strongly denies.
The Hammers’ pedestrian start was punished by Pompey in the 33rd minute when Adrian Segecic controlled Maximilian Kilman’s clearance and let fly with a left-footed shot which rebounded off the West Ham defender and into the bottom corner.
West Ham jolted into life shortly before the interval and drew level when Mohamadou Kante’s simple cut-back was directed into the far corner by Castellanos.
Captain Jarrod Bowen put the hosts in front two minutes later after latching on to Pablo’s mis-controlled pass and sending Nicolas Schmid the wrong way with a deflected effort from range.
The victory, in front of 53,369 fans, was sealed when Castellanos nodded in Bowen’s cross following good work from Kyle Walker-Peters to start the attack.
Sullivan’s attendance came against the advice of the London Stadium’s landlord following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Sullivan was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour by seven women during a joint investigation by the BBC’s Panorama and The Times into the 77-year-old businessman.
He has strongly denied all accusations and stood down as joint club chairman shortly before the investigation was broadcast in June, saying he wanted to focus on fighting what he called “factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life”.
London Stadium issued a statement on Tuesday saying safeguarding issues were behind their advice, but Sullivan opted not to stay away.
London Stadium said: “Following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, London Stadium sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities.
“Based on the information provided by the club, we understand the matter was investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Mr Sullivan attending the stadium.
“However, given the potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators, we have recommended to the club that he does not attend.
“We have also requested advance notice of any planned attendance so that appropriate safety and operational measures can be put in place.”
There were no reports of any unrest among fans before or after the game kicked off against Portsmouth, whose 9,000-strong travelling fans helped swell the attendance to a first-round record.
West Ham go into Monday’s draw for the second round, where they will be joined by the Premier League teams not involved in European competition.
Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, meanwhile, saved all four QPR spot-kicks as the Lions won on penalties at Loftus Road to secure a place in the second round.
The visitors prevailed 2-0 in the shootout after a late own goal by Mark Sykes cancelled out Luke Cundle’s second-half opener in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Jensen superbly kept out efforts from Ilias Chair, Harvey Vale and Koki Saito before his save from Kwame Poku sealed the victory.
Camiel Neghli and Tairyk Arconte had their penalties saved by Pierce Charles, but Jake Cooper and Sykes scoring was enough to take the south London side through.
After a goalless first half, an error by keeper Charles gifted Millwall the lead in the 53rd minute.
Charles, making his competitive debut following a loan move from Manchester City, fumbled Neghli’s left-wing cross and enabled Cundle to tap in from close range.
The R’s equalised when Jimmy Dunne’s header from Chair’s 86th-minute corner went in off the unfortunate Sykes.
That gave Charles a chance to redeem himself in the shootout and he produced two impressive stops, but his team-mates could not find a way past an inspired Jensen.
PA
