---
title: "Paul Merson hails ‘different class’ Declan Rice display"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/09/26/paul-merson-hails-different-class-declan-rice-display/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-09-26T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-26T08:00:00Z"
---

# Paul Merson hails ‘different class’ Declan Rice display

Former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson has hailed [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/09/25/mark-lawrenson-predicts-west-ham-defeat-against-leeds-united/) ace [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2021/09/21/kevin-nolan-claims-west-ham-wouldnt-sell-declan-rice-for-100million/) following an impressive display in the victory over Leeds United.

The 22-year-old was [imperious once again](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/september/25-september/goals-leeds-united-1-2-west-ham-united) at the heart of the Hammers’ midfield coming up against England teammate Kalvin Phillips.

David Moyes’ side ran out [2-1 winners](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58606477) at Elland Road thanks to a Junior Firpo own goal before a late Michail Antonio winner.

Speaking on [Soccer Saturday (25/09/21)](https://www.skysports.com/football), Merson was in awe of Rice’s performance.

> He plays a brilliant ball in the middle of the park to Antonio – then he has the composure to smash it into the far corner. I would say Rice. I felt Rice started very well in the first half. I thought he was different class. He burst through and had a shot that he should have done a lot better with. He was the better player out of the both of them. Then, in the end, he picked out that final pass. I thought Phillips was quiet today. I think he’s more involved in the game than that usually.

Rice provided the assist for the Antonio strike, completing three interceptions, two tackles and a [Sofascore rating of 7.20](https://www.sofascore.com/player/declan-rice/856714).

Meanwhile, the [17 times England capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/nationalmannschaft/spieler/351749/verein_id/3299) Leeds man earned a 6.70 rating whilst losing possession on 10 occasions in the match ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/kalvin-phillips/786028)).

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

There can be little question whether Rice got the better of this [particular individual battle](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/declan-rice-kalvin-phillips-battle-21656227).

Always available to [receive the ball](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332325/Show/Declan-Rice) and so often the man to lead the press in midfield, this was another performance of a man at the very top of his game.

West Ham and Rice will face [Rapid Vienna next Thursday](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) at the London Stadium before newly-promoted Brentford arrive in east London.