The former Irons skipper said a hello to the boys asking them how they were all getting along before suffering defeat at their hands a bit later.
In between times he received a warm welcome from the fans when he appeared for the warm up before the game but was booed every time he touched the ball – a tradition going back years – when he appeared as a second half sub,
As is usually the case, he rarely put a foot wrong during the time he was on the pitch but that couldn’t account for the Hammers total superiority as they cruised to their comfortable 3-1 victory.
Coufal may annoy a few fans with part of his comments after the game in declaring that he believes the former skipper deserved his move to north London.
He said: “He’s doing an incredible job at Arsenal and we all wish him the best. He did an unbelievable job here, he lifted a trophy after 50 years for West Ham and he deserved this move to Arsenal.
“I can’t say anything against him because he’s an unbelievable player and he is even better at Arsenal.”
It’s great to hear Rice was so respectful to his old team on his return to the London Stadium.