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West Ham United: Alan Shearer praises Declan Rice after FA Cup win over Kidderminster

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Image for West Ham United: Alan Shearer praises Declan Rice after FA Cup win over Kidderminster

Pundit and former footballer Alan Shearer has sung the praises of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice for the role he played in the club’s dramatic FA Cup win.

In the fourth round of the fabled competition, the Hammers took a trip to Kidderminster Harriers, who currently play their football in the National League North – the sixth tier of English football.

The FA Cup is famous for its giant-killings, but even so, a team from that low down the footballing pyramid has never beaten a top-division side. That record was nearly snatched by Kidderminster at the weekend had it not been for the exploits of Rice, who saved his club’s blushes.

No doubt aware of this, Newcastle United legend Shearer took to Twitter after the game to show just how impressed he was with the midfielder’s goalscoring contribution. He wrote: “Incredible @_DeclanRice Wow.”

After scoring in the 19th minute thanks to Alex Penny, the home team led 1-0 at half-time. During the break, Shearer told the BBC: “They have been brilliant from the start, they went after West Ham from the start.

“They closed them down, they pressed – if you had never watched a football match before, you’d never know the difference between these teams in terms of leagues and where they are.”

Will Declan Rice be at West Ham next season?

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Spotting the apparent issues, David Moyes turned to Rice, bringing him on for the second 45. The England international then broke Kidderminster hearts with his 91st-minute equaliser that took the game to extra time.

Jarrod Bowen later provided a similarly dramatic moment after he made the score 2-1 in the 121st minute of the match.

In the end, West Ham avoided embarrassment by the skin of their teeth. Had it not been for the introduction of Rice, though, the game may well have gone the other way.

In other news: ‘They thought they had got the deal done’ – Ex reveals failed late WHUFC bid

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