West Ham United 4-1 Ipswich Town: Stuart Watson's verdict

Michail Antonio celebrates after giving West Ham the lead inside the opening minute. (Image: PA)

COSTLY ERRORS

Frustratingly, Ipswich Town were the architects of their own downfall.

Kalvin Phillips' loose pass led to Jarrod Bowen crossing for Michail Antonio with just 38 seconds on the clock.

Town got back to 1-1, but continued to shoot themselves in the foot.

Sam Morsy was fortunate to escape with giving the ball away in his own box when Tomas Soucek saw a shot cleared off the line by Dara O'Shea.

The Hammers' killer third goal, which came four minutes into the second half, was the worst of the lot from a Blues perspective. Ben Johnson' skewed back pass created the trouble. Phillips was then far too statuesque when allowing Bowen to cut inside to score.

It was a similar story at Man City early in the season during a self-destructive five minute spell. Poor clearances led to goals being conceded against Southampton and Aston Villa too.

Town really do need to stop giving Premier League sides a leg up. This is a hard enough task as it is. 

Jarrod Bowen (second left) is congratulated after scoring West Ham's third goal. (Image: PA)

STYLE PROBLEMS

"West Ham played differently than anyone we've played so far, to be honest. They were very direct. That was what we struggled with," admitted McKenna afterwards.

Michail Antonio played the lone striker role superbly, winning headers, running channels and linking play. Town lost too many aerial duels with Tomas Soucek and, just as importantly, weren't quick enough to pick up the pieces.

Sam Morsy, Kalvin Phillips, Wes Burns, Omari Hutchinson and Jack Clarke are all between 5ft 8in and 5ft 11in height. Is it too simplistic to suggest Town are undersized in the midfield and wide areas? McKenna has assembled a squad full of varied qualities, but the one thing possibly lacking is a midfield powerhouse.

Wes Burns is tackled by Mohammed Kudus. (Image: Ross Halls)

FINAL THIRD EXECUTION 

In the early stages of this Premier League season, Kieran McKenna suggested the next step for his team was to turn well-worked positions into goalscoring chances.

Big progress was made on that front in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, Town scored twice and could have had more, but a backwards step was made here.

Maybe that's a little harsh. Town scored (more on that in a moment), Jacob Greaves glanced a good headed chance wide at 1-1, while Delap forced a fine save from Alphonse Areola at 3-1. That's not bad going in an away game at this level.

There were too many occasions, however, where good final third territory was wasted. Wes Burns, Johnson and Morsy were all guilty of fluffing crossing opportunities. A Hutchinson pass lacked accuracy after an Areola kicking error. There were other examples too.

The Blues need to keep working on that final bit of execution.

Ben Johnson (left) came in for the injured Axel Tuanzebe. (Image: Ross Halls)

RIGHT-BACK CHANGE

Axel Tuanzebe was a big miss in this game.

The former Manchester United men, who had started the season so well, is set to be out for a sustained period after suffering an 'unfortunate hand accident' that requires surgery.

Johnson stepped into the team against his boyhood club. He seemed to be torn between bursting into space and tucking in.

They are different types of full-back. Town are going to have to adapt to that over the coming weeks.

Liam Delap has now scored four goals in seven Premier League games. (Image: PA)

DELAP BAGS AGAIN

One big positive from the afternoon was Town responding well to an early set-back and Liam Delap notching again.

It was another fine self-made goal. This time, after a half-cleared corner dropped out the sky, he showed good strength to hold off Paqueta, spin and hit a firm low shot that proved too hot to handle for Areola.

That's four goals in seven Premier League games for Town's front man. Impressive.

It's just a shame that the Blues weren't able to captilise on a spell when the atmosphere went flat inside the London Stadium.

Kalvin Phillips (right) and Tomas Soucek battle for the ball. (Image: Ross Halls)

REALITY CHECK

Don't get too high with the highs, don't get too low with the lows.

Ipswich weren't Champions League contenders after pushing for a win against Aston Villa. They are not relegation fodder just because they've lost at West Ham.

I saw too many people underestimating this game. Ipswich, lest we not forget, were playing in League One as the Hammers built towards winning the Europa Conference League just two years. This was an opponent that had three top half finishes in the last four years and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season.

Yes, Julen Lopetegui's side had lost their opening three home league games - but those games were against Villa, Man City and Chelsea. 

Yes, Ipswich spent in excess of £100m on transfer fees this summer. So did West Ham though - and that was to strengthen a squad already packed with experienced internationals.

Never underestimate the monumental challenge McKenna has trying to secure Premier League survival. The odds are stacked heavily against.

It's been a positive start. This is a little reality check. That might not be a bad thing heading into the second international break.