West Ham: David Moyes hails Declan Rice in ‘tremendous’ win as he admits doubts after celebration
Avid Moyes hailed West Ham’s “tremendous” win over Leeds on Sunday but declined to be drawn on Declan Rice’s future after what was expected to be the midfielder’s last home game.
Rice is set to be sold this summer, with Arsenal strong favorites for his signature and West Ham hoping to command a record British transfer fee of over £100million.
The 24-year-old marked the occasion, six years after his debut, as he started the Irons’ one-goal comeback to win 3-1, after being named the club’s Hammer of the Year before kick-off .
After the traditional post-match round of appreciation, Rice embarked on a solo second round applauding the home fans, but when asked if his captain had signed in style, Moyes replied simply: “Declan played very well today. He played well all season, he scored a very good goal. He played well, he is a very, very good footballer.
Moyes paid tribute to his side after she made light of a narrow turnaround from Thursday night’s historic win at AZ Alkmaar to deepen Leeds’ relegation worries.
The Scot made six changes to the XI which started the 1-0 win at the Netherlands, which saw the Hammers reach their first major European final since 1976, and was rewarded with three points as Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini responded. at the opening of Rodrigo.
“It was great,” Moyes said. “After the week we’ve had, you never really know how the players will be after a Thursday game, showing up to play on a Sunday. In the first 15 minutes, I thought, “I’m not so sure.”
“We showed great character, great mentality because we had a tremendous victory there in midweek. It was easier to come back to play at home than away, but a great victory in the end. A hard fight, but a deserved fight.
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