Declan Rice was quick to praise the impact of Danny Ings, who struck his first and second goals for the Club at London Stadium on Saturday.
The 30-year-old striker netted a brace to start the scoring in West Ham United’s 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest, finishing Jarrod Bowen’s cross on 70 minutes, before adding his and his side’s second just three minutes later. The latter of Ings’ two goals on his full debut epitomised the career of the striker, bundling home Saïd Benrahma’s cross because he was in the right place at the right time.
But Rice expected no less. The skipper was not surprised at all that Ings quickly found his goalscoring boots in east London.
“When we signed him, I knew straight away what we were bringing in,” Rice stated. “He is a born goalscorer and I told the boys before the game that he will score goals if we give him chances.
“Whether they come off his shin or whatever, it’s a goal and that’s what he is there for. He gave us the confidence to push on and then score four.”
But it was not only Ings’ finishing that captivated the Claret and Blue Army - who saw the Hammer extend their unbeaten run at home to three matches - as Rice also showed his ability to find the net.
Before Michail Antonio added the Irons’ fourth of the afternoon, Rice struck a stunning goal. Just as he did against Southampton in a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium in October, the skipper cut inside and found the far corner with unerring accuracy, the ball curling past a well-beaten goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
“I love that zone around the edge of the box, “ he explained, on his second Premier League goal of 2022/23, which capped his 225th senior Club appearance in style. “[It’s an area] where I can really set it up, pass the keeper, and bring it back in.
“Luckily today, I got it spot on - and to score a goal, there is nothing better.”
With Rice playing his part then, the Hammers scored four in a Premier League fixture for the first time since a 4-0 win over Norwich City in May last year.
The Club captain knows then it is the sort of performance that can signal a shift in the Irons’ season.
Three away fixtures follow in a trio of competitions though, showing that West Ham still have plenty to play for as they head into March. An FA Cup fifth-round trip to Manchester United on Wednesday is followed by a Premier League fixture at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The Irons then return to UEFA Europa Conference League action, with the first-leg away to Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the round of 16.
“It is really exciting,” stated Rice, alluding to the Club’s next three fixtures. “It is important that we have a group that will stick together. On days like today, when we can get the fans on side, hopefully, we can keep that going until the end of the season.
“We’ve got Manchester United in the cup. We are due a win there for so long now, so hopefully, we can go there and win.
“Let’s be real, West Ham, we are due a trophy now, and we have got the squad [to do that].”
