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West Ham: Areola, Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice (C), Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio. Subs: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Potts, Mubama.
AZ Alkmaar: Ryan, Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, M De Wit, Clasie, Mijnans, Reijnders, Odgaard, Pavlidis, Van Brederode. Subs: Verhulst, Deen, Mihailovic, Barasi, Lahdo, Bazoer, Vanheusden, Buurmeester, Meerdink, Goes

So much of West Ham's season and David Moyes' tenure at the club depends on the club's showing in the Conference League Cup semi finals, last year the semi finals were as far as the club could get in the far superior Europa League Cup, failing against the eventual winners.

There is something of the late great 'Sir' Bobby Moore about Declan Rice, albeit in the format of a modern day footballer earning vast amounts of money compared to when Bobby played the game. Apart from putting in a true captain's performance against a team Hammers 'owed one', Rice showed he was just that little bit more special with the heartfelt kindness he showed to a young fan at the end of the match that saw visitors Manchester United beaten by a Said Benrahma goal.