Paquetá and Bowen ease pressure on Lopetegui as West Ham beat Ipswich | Premier League

At some point, football teams and the managers whose fates depend ruthlessly on their results have to win. And so that sunny Saturday afternoon in east London was of utmost importance for both Julen Lopetegui and Kieran McKenna.

Lopetegui was tasked with providing a sense of excitement that has often been lacking at West Ham in recent years and was already in danger of crumbling after three unprecedented home defeats in the league at the start of his first season at the helm. For McKenna, the great goodwill of successive promotions means that all knives remain completely blunt. However, he will be aware that brave points from a host of draws will not mean a return to the top flight takes a long time.

This heavy defeat keeps them dangerously above the relegation zone and is one of four teams yet to win a game this season. There is a sense of optimism for their opponents as they head into the second international break of the season. Life is pretty easy when you're dealing with a defense as porous as Suffolk's, but perhaps the Lopetegui era will bring more joy than has previously been apparent.

The immediate gift that came with defeat came from a player whose fear of having to play in that stadium has reached unfounded proportions. Kalvin Phillips' performances at Ipswich this season suggest that the former England regular will be putting some difficult years behind him – including last season's ill-fated loan spell from West Ham. But the midfielder's underhit pass, which released the ball after just 49 seconds, was severely punished, allowing Jarrod Bowen to move forward and pass to Michail Antonio, who coolly and unceremoniously fired the ball into the goal.

The continuation of Liam Delap's winning streak meant the hosts' lead was short-lived as the former Manchester City striker fired straight from inside the box with such force that Alphonso Areola was unable to stop the ball flying past the near post. But here Ipswich's joy quickly ended.

Against a muted backdrop of restless murmurs in the stands, West Ham finished the game within half a dozen minutes either side of half-time.

A few minutes after his header hit the post unnoticed, Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal of the season when he nodded in from just a few centimeters after a header from Antonio that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the goal line.

Four minutes after the break the lead was further extended. Arijanet Muric had to deal with a terrible looping pack pass and could only clear the ball to Bowen, who cut through his defender and rolled beautifully into the far corner from 20 yards.

With the hosts becoming increasingly dominant as the afternoon progressed, the result was confirmed when Lucas Paquetà became West Ham's fourth goalscorer of the afternoon, firing the ball home after the brilliant Bowen had fired the ball over the goal.

West Ham fans have more than a week to familiarize themselves with the Premier League table and will see their team knocking on the door of the top half of the game. What was all the worry about?