That was a game to make you proud as the Hammers made it three games on the trot scoring nine goals along the way after a pretty dismal run.

It was also good to see the boss putting out a side which looked more than capable of doing the business from the moment it was seen.

And with a big crowd inside the stadium the players put on a performance which left little doubt that we would be going into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

And afterwards Declan expressed how desperately he wanted the last goal to go in and set our fans off into a frenzied climax.

Leeds with several first teamers unavailable were decent in many areas of the game but simply had nothing up front as the Hammers completed a thoroughly deserved victory.

And afterwards skipper Dec and goalscorer Bowen gave their thoughts on a thoroughly enjoyable game.

Declan summed up his feelings as Mikey began his run which set Jarrod up for the second goal.

He said: “As Mich was running through, I was thinking ‘please let it be a goal, because the place is going to erupt’!” Rice recalled at the final whistle. “The roar was incredible.

“These fans, every time we go out there, give a hundred per cent to us, and we want to give it back to them. The FA Cup’s such a special competition, a historic one as well, so we really want to put a run together and see how far we can go.

“It was a great game. Every time we play Leeds we know it’s going to be tough. That’s why the manager picked the strong team today. We knew we had to win. 

“We put together a strong run in the Carabao Cup, and every competition we’re in we want to take seriously. The FA Cup’s one we really want to win.”

With regards to his role in the opening goal, Bowen admitted to being unsure as to the matter at hand being debated by VAR, with the contention appearing to surround whether the forward before the ball after Vlašić’s poke at goal was saved by Illan Meslier.

When it became clear that Bowen did not touch the ball, and was therefore not interfering with play, Lanzini’s subsequent finish was awarded as a goal – but the decision, a confusing one given the number of players involved, left the No20 and his teammates awaiting the verdict.

“I didn’t really know what he [VAR] was looking at to be honest,” the winger admitted. “They said ‘offside’ but they didn’t really show it on the big screen. 

“It’s just a waiting game. You always fear the worst – that they’re going to disallow it – but we got the goal. 

“If it’s gone to VAR, and they’ve said it’s a goal, then we just trust it’s a goal.

“We dominated a lot of the game and we knew they were going to be difficult to play against – they always are – but we stuck in, took some of their storm, and at the end got the goal to put the game to bed.”
 

Jarrod Bowen scores

 

He added: “I think I’m just being probably more consistent this season. I want to push myself to the very top. 

“They say the sky’s the limit and I’ve just got to keep trying to do what I’m doing, keep working hard and keep trying to put the performances in week in, week out.”