- Rice scores first West Ham goal
- Arsenal’s 2nd defeat in last 3 PL games
- 16 of the last 18 PL goals scored in this fixture have come in the second half
West Ham United beat Arsenal 1-0 at the London Stadium on Saturday as teenager Declan Rice was the hero for the Hammers.
Fresh from signing a new long-term contract and just a few days before his 20th birthday, the West Ham academy graduate smashed home the winner early in the second half to secure a huge win for Manuel Pellegrini’s Hammers.
The win was just their second in their last 22 PL games against Arsenal, as Unai Emery’s side struggled to get going and have now lost two of their last three league clashes.
West Ham move up to eighth on 31 points, while Arsenal sit in fifth on 41 points.
[ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ]
West Ham started well and Felipe Anderson danced his way towards goal but the Brazilian curled his effort off target.
At the other end Arsenal ripped West Ham apart as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette combined as the latter first had a shot blocked and then fired the rebound over.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Before half time the Hammers fought their way back into the game as Samir Nasri dragged an effort wide of the near post. A long ball over the top nearly led to the opening goal of the game as Marko Arnautovic controlled and played the ball to Nasri who teed up the onrushing Anderson who drilled inches wide of the post.
Matteo Guendouzi then fired an effort just off target and Declan Rice then headed wide as the game continued to open up.
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]
West Ham had the perfect start to the second half as Arsenal failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Nasri who found Rice in the box and the teenager slammed home to make it 1-0.
At the other end Arsenal were almost level right away, but Lukasz Fabianski saved well as the ball ricocheted off a West Ham defender and towards their own goal. Guendouzi then fired wide as Arsenal pushed hard for an equalizer.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
Emery sent on Lucas Torreira and Aaron Ramsey in the hope of rescuing a point, and it had an impact. Aubameyang fired over under pressure from Aaron Cresswell as the Gunners threw men forward but they failed to open up the solid West Ham defense.
Late on Arnautovic seemed to wave goodbye to the West Ham fans as he was subbed off, as an unnamed Chinese Super League club continues to try and sign him.
But at the final whistle there was nothing but jubilation from everyone connected with West Ham as they secured their first home Premier League win against Arsenal since 2006.