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Declan Rice took the ball off Jesse Lingard to score West Ham’s first penalty of the season – to avoid an earful from boss David Moyes!
The Hammers ran out 3-0 winners over Sheffield United on Monday night to move above Liverpool and into fifth in the Premier League table.
The deadlock was broken on 41 minutes when Rice slotted past Aaron Ramsdale from the penalty spot after Lingard had been felled in box by Chris Basham.
Having won the penalty, Lingard was desperate to take it – but Rice was having none of it.
The Manchester United loanee looked visibly disappointed as he handed the ball over to Rice after a brief debate, but was the first to congratulate his teammate when it was stuck away.
It was the first penalty West Ham have been awarded in 2020/21 and the first scored by Rice in his career.
West Ham went on seal a comfortable 3-0 win over the bottom side, with Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks also getting on the scoresheet.
Asked about the debate with Lingard over penalty duties, Rice revealed: “I just said to Jesse, ‘Look, the gaffer, I don’t want to be battered by him and by the assistants in the changing room if I don’t take it’.
“I said I don’t want to be that guy that looks like I’m taking the ball off you, but I said, ‘I’m on them mate so obviously can I have the ball’.
“Buzzing to put it in the back of the net and, more importantly, we’ve got the three points.
“It was a strange one because it was our 24th game tonight and we haven’t had a pen.
“It was my first time taking a penalty in the Premier League so I had to compose myself, take a deep breath and just visualise hitting the ball in the back of the net and, lucky enough that’s what I’ve done.”
Rice couldn’t resist teasing Lingard about the moment on social media after the match.
He shared a video of Lingard in a bath in the dressing room, declaring ‘he knew he had to give me the pen!’
Lingard saw the funny side, as he burst into laughter – showing the sense of camaraderie under Moyes that has lifted West Ham into Champions League contention.
Asked about Rice revealing he had pulled rank on Lingard to avoid a bashing from the boss, Moyes said: “He’s right. Because we want to be clear, we want the organisation to be clear.
“I also see it as a bit of a step up for Declan as well, that’s his first goal [this season], he’s taken responsibility, taking that ownership and making sure he does the job.
“Next time we might try somebody different, but this game it was certainly Declan.”
Lingard was again excellent for West Ham as he continues to reignite his career in London following his difficult spell at Man United.
The 28-year-old was praised by Rio Ferdinand for his display and for also not sulking over the penalty dispute.
“There’s a maturity, he’s not sulking,” he said. “Some players would have sulked in that situation: ‘I want it, I want it’. It’s an ego thing. But he’s put his ego to one side.
“More importantly, he’s been the bright spark for West Ham. We said they haven’t got a traditional No.9 now [Michail] Antonio is out and [Sebastien] Haller has been let go.
“This kid has been the person they have looked to when they have needed a bright spark.”
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