West Ham midfielder Declan Rice revealed after his side's win over Manchester United that the Hammers had highlighted the game as a match they knew they could take points from.
A David de Gea error allowed Said Benrahma to score the only goal of the game in the first half and condemn United to a second successive Premier League defeat. While the Reds remain in the top four, the gap to Liverpool in fifth is just one point while Brighton are also within striking distance with games in hand.
United have played a match fewer than their Merseyside rivals and their top four destiny remains in their own hands, with Newcastle United's defeat to Arsenal ensuring the Magpies are far from over the line in third. But Erik ten Hag's side's form on the road continues to hold United back and it was something West Ham captain Rice admitted the Londoners had targeted ahead of the match.
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“We had our eye on this game as one we could win, at home with the fans," he said, speaking to BT Sport. "The lads gave everything today and it was a thoroughly deserved win.
“I think that’s probably our best performance at home this season. We played on the front foot, aggressive, being comfortable one vs one, on the ball, just everything today, it was a positive performance.
“As a player, the whole world are watching these games. It’s what it’s about, you’re against Man United and today we did it.”
The Hammers benefited from a De Gea error to claim the points but were denied what looked like a certain penalty late in the first half when Victor Lindelof handled Benrahma's cross inside the box. Referee Peter Bankes didn't give the decision and VAR opted not to intervene, amid much consternation from the home side's players and staff. West Ham boss David Moyes felt his side were on the wrong end of a call in their recent defeat to Liverpool and Rice hopes their luck on that front will change.
“They’re going against us at the minute," he said. "I don’t get involved. What can they do, the refs? They’re being told by VAR in Stockley Park, it’s down to them to tell the refs what’s happening. The refs sometimes get a bit of stick when they shouldn’t so I think it was a tough one, but I’ll claim a penalty if everyone else is saying it!”
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