West Ham United recorded a 3-2 victory over Colchester United in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly at Rush Green.
Niclas Füllkrug, Maxwel Cornet and Pablo scored for the Hammers as Nuno Espírito Santo gave minutes to a large group of players.
Two different West Ham XIs featured across the match, with Nuno changing his entire team at half-time. The approach allowed the head coach to assess senior players and younger members of the squad during the opening stage of pre-season.
The result was reported by ExWHUEmployee, with the club yet to publish a full match report, team sheet or details of the goals.
Füllkrug and Cornet make positive early impressions
Füllkrug’s goal provides an encouraging early moment after an injury-disrupted period at West Ham.
The Germany international could have an important role in the Championship if he remains at the club. West Ham need greater availability and consistent output from their senior striker as they target an immediate return to the Premier League.
Cornet also strengthened his position by getting on the scoresheet.
The winger returned to Rush Green following his loan spell in Italy and has entered the final year of his contract. ReadWestHam previously examined how Cornet’s return gives Nuno an early squad-depth decision.
A goal in an unofficial friendly will not settle his future, but it gives Nuno another reason to assess him throughout pre-season rather than rush towards an exit.
The use of two separate XIs was more important than the final score. West Ham’s squad remains incomplete, while several transfer situations and international returns must still be resolved.
Nuno’s players have nevertheless completed their first match exercise and produced three goals ahead of the club’s public pre-season schedule.
Further details should emerge if West Ham release footage or a formal report from the Rush Green fixture.
