As the price tag attached to Declan Rice almost certainly increased and Newcastle’s hopes of Champions League qualification receded a little, David Moyes’s grip on the manager’s job at West Ham tightened.
Admittedly Moyes is still inching his way back into boardroom favour and his side remain in relegation peril but a few more stellar performances of this hugely impressive ilk from Rice and his fellow midfielder Lucas Paquetá should ensure an ultimately happy ending in East London.
