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Young defender singled out for praise by former West Ham man

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West Ham are still awaiting their first victory under the tenure of David Moyes but there were positives to take from the Hammers’ defeat to Manchester City yesterday.

The East London side took the lead through Angelo Ogbonna and certainly put a chink into the armour of the Premier League leaders, though Manchester City responded to equal a league record 13 consecutive wins.

West Ham were always going to find the odds against them in the game though and the performance left a number of positive signs, one of which was the impressive display from young defender Declan Rice.

Former Hammers defender Matthew Upson singled the youngster out for praise as a pundit on Match of the Day 2 last night, where he said:

“For his first Premier League start at centre back, he handles himself brilliantly,”

“He was in a back three. I thought his decision making, when to come out and when to hold his position, he identifies it, releases himself and just tidies up nicely. He did that all afternoon.”

“It’s a natural feel for the game but I think he’s also been working on it. It’s something he’s been doing in training, very aware of tactically improving at such a young age, and just by identifying these positions.”

West Ham fans are keen to see their younger players handed a chance, so they’ll hope that Rice remains in the side over the course of the coming weeks.

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