West Ham United booked their place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup courtesy of an impressive 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the London Stadium. A Ben White own goal set them on their way before second half strikes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen sealed the win. Martin Odegaard bagged a consolation for the Gunners late on, as Declan Rice endured a horrid return to his former club.
Declan Rice endured a torrid return to the London Stadium as Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen inspired West Ham to a 3-1 win over Arsenal that booked a spot in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.
England midfielder Rice, who skippered The Hammers to UEFA Europa Conference League glory prior to a £105m move to the Gunners in the summer, appeared as a second half substitute against his old club, but could not inspire a recovery on a disappointing night for the visitors.
David Moyes’s men failed to have a shot in the first 45 but went in at the break in front thanks to Ben White’s headed own goal from Bowen’s right-wing corner.
Arsenal dictated and probed but struggled to carve out anything of real note and they were duly punished as the hosts started the second period with much more intent.
Bowen forced Aaron Ramsdale into an excellent save before Kudus produced two touches of quality to double the home team’s lead on 50 minutes.
Bowen then got in on the act with a deflected 20-yard shot on the hour to put the tie well beyond the below-par Gunners, who netted a consolation through substitute Martin Odegaard deep into stoppage time.
TALKING POINT - HAPPY HAMMERS EASE ABSURD PRESSURE ON MOYES
This was just the tonic West Ham needed after supporters demonstrated their frustration following the Premier League loss to Everton at the weekend.
There was a concern a promising start to the campaign was turning sour after three straight defeats, but a first win in five against one of the top-flight’s heavyweights will restore the belief in Moyes and Co and they will hope it is the platform to greater things now.
It was all the more sweet given Rice emerged as a second half substitute but could not prevent the tie running away from Arsenal. The Hammers have re-invested the money from his sale well with the likes of Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse already proving to be shrewd recruits.
As for The Gunners, they will lick their wounds and put it down to a bad dayat the office after suffering their first domestic loss of the campaign. They were below par throughout and now need to bounce back in a difficult away match at the weekend.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - JARROD BOWEN (WEST HAM)
The Hammers’ main man in attack produced a strong overall performance, helping his team to a much-needed win with a goal and an assist.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - JARROD BOWEN (WEST HAM)
PLAYER RATINGS
WEST HAM: Fabianski 8, Coufal 8, Mavropanos 7, Aguerd 8, Emerson 8, Alvarez 8, Soucek 7, Kudus 8, Paqueta 8, Benrahma 7, Bowen 8*. Subs: Ward-Prowse n/a, Kehrer n/a.
ARSENAL: Ramsdale 6, White 5, Kiwior 6, Gabriel 6, Zinchenko 6, Jorginho 6, Havertz 6, Vieira 6, Nelson 6, Trossard 6, Nketiah 6. Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Rice 6, Saka 6, Martinelli 6, Odegaard n/a.
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