Rice: We are improving and creating chances

 

Declan Rice says West Ham United are continuing to improve at the start of the 2018/19 season, despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Hammers were frustrated by Hugo Lloris in the visitors’ goal, who made two excellent second half saves from Marko Arnautovic to keep his side in front.

It meant Erik Lamela’s header on the stroke of half-time proved decisive, and although that frustrated Rice, he says the signs that the Hammers are emerging from their difficult start to the season are clear.

“I thought it was a very, very tight game,” he said. “We conceded a very sloppy goal from a cross again, but we had so many chances where we could have scored and we were unlucky not to pick up the three points.

“Hugo Lloris made some fantastic saves today. Arnie kept trying and trying and that one in the 90th minute Hugo came out and he’s a top keeper. Arnie was unlucky today.

Declan Rice challenges Erik Lamela

“I think we are improving 100%. You can see on the pitch that we’re playing with intensity, creating chances and we need to be a bit more solid at the back but that’s going to come. 

“We’re only nine games in and we’ll go again next week at Leicester. I’m confident we can get the three points there.”

Rice was disappointed to see Andriy Yarmolenko suffer an injury in the opening period, but he was impressed with how youngster Grady Diangana slotted into his shoes.

“I don’t know what’s happened with Andriy, but it didn’t change the gameplan much because Grady stepped in for Yarma,” he added. 

“It was his first proper minutes [in the Premier League], I thought he was excellent and wasn’t fazed by anything."