RICE DECKED BY HAMMERS

No happy return for trophy-winning skipper as Gunners thumped

- MATT DUNN

JARROD BOWEN needed just three minutes to show Declan Rice that West Ham already have a new hero.

This season's goalscoring phenomenon, playing up front in a mix and match West Ham team, watched as his former team-mate Rice learned the hard way about the fickleness of fans.

A decade of service to the Hammers culminated in the summer with Rice lifting a European trophy no less.

Then, having held on after several seasons of transfer speculation, his £105million departure to Arsenal meant West Ham finally got top dollar for him.

Yet his return to the London Stadium was met by what can only be described at best as a mixed reception.

Boos as he made his way to the touchline in the 57th minute; a standing ovation from the home fans as he entered the field of play as a substitute; and then boos again every time Rice (below) touched the ball.

But Bowen, and this newlook West Ham, have little time for sentiment.