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Jonty Colman

West Ham first-half player ratings: Kurt Zouma and Conor Coventry impress at Ipswich Town

West Ham went in 1-0 up at half-time of their pre-season friendly against League One side Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Kurt Zouma scored the only goal of the first half on the half hour mark, poking in at the second attempt after his header from Michail Antonio's cross was saved.

Here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players in the first half.

READ MORE: Ipswich Town 0-1 West Ham United live: Score updates from Portman Road as Kurt Zouma scores

Lukasz Fabianski

Polish stopper Lukasz Fabianski started against Ipswich with Alphonse Areola recently returning to training and Darren Randolph starting against Boreham Wood. A quiet 45 for the Polish goalkeeper. 6

Harrison Ashby

In a side most similar to the 11 that started against Servette, Harrison Ashby kept his place at right-back. Energetic and got in crosses where possible, putting one good ball for Armstrong Okoflex that almost led to a chance. Plenty of energy and a real intent to run at Ipswich and attack where possible. 7

Kurt Zouma

Only featuring in the second half against Servette on Friday night, Zouma came into the starting side to partner Alese, who scored the opener in Switzerland, at centre-back. Received a hostile reception from the home fans, but did what he needed to well, barring one cutting pass that caught him and Aji Alese off guard. Opened the scoring on the half hour mark, netting at the second attempt after his initial header from an Antonio cross was saved. 7

Aji Alese

Alese got West Ham's first goal in pre-season on Friday when poking home from close range. Seeing his defensive colleague Zouma open the scoring, at the back, he dealt with Freddie Ladapo once and got back to put him off during his one big chance. 7

Aaron Cresswell

As he did against Servette, Aaron Cresswell captained the Hammers in Suffolk, with Declan Rice only returning to pre-season training from international duty on Monday. Cresswell, against his former club got a good reception from the home fans and was keen to get the ball forward where possible. Often found himself having to track multiple Ipswich players at a time as they attempted to overload on their right flank. 6

Conor Coventry (Star man)

One of two players to play the duration in Geneva, Conor Coventry again started in the middle of midfield for Moyes' side against the Tractor Boys. The better of the two central midfielders in the first half, Coventry kept things ticking over nicely, a really good heartbeat in midfield. 7

Flynn Downes

The big talking point when the team news was announced was a debut for Flynn Downes against his former club, where he spent 15 years between 2006 and 2021. The Brentwood-born Hammers fan struggled in the early phases of the game and he was dispossessed in the build-up to Ipswich hitting the post through Freddie Ladapo, who should have done better. Improved as the half progressed, however. A hard time dealing with Sone Aluko, who beat him for skill on three occasions. A good reception from the visiting fans, though. 5

Daniel Chesters

Plenty of energy from Daniel Chesters as he looked to make himself an option down the right wing. Perhaps lacked penetration and a bit of quality at times, but promise at times from the young winger. 5

Pablo Fornals

Spanish playmaker Pablo Fornals started as the most senior of the three behind Antonio up front, occupying the No.10 role. Really energetic to begin with, chasing loose passes and trying to be the dynamic spark behind Antonio up front. Quieter as the half progressed, however.6

Armstrong Okoflex

Plenty of pace but was marked out of the game at times by Janoi Donacien. A good opportunity for the youngster to link-up in a front four with Fornals and Antonio. 5

Michail Antonio

Antonio spearheaded a front four that was less senior than the one that started against Servette. Clear cut chances were not really there for the forward, but he did fashion a chance out of nothing to hit the post before setting up the opening with a clever cross. Good hold-up play and pressing. 7

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