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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Perth Glory 2-6 West Ham: Life without Declan Rice begins with a win

West Ham made a winning start to life without Declan Rice, and their pre-season tour, as Perth Glory were beaten 6-2 in Australia with Jarrod Bowen scoring twice.

The Hammers confirmed before the game that their captain had exited the club, though did not mention the £105million deal agreed with Arsenal, and released an open letter from Rice on their website.

West Ham were soon looking ahead, though, having touched down in Perth and ready to continue their pre-season preparations, with the transfer saga no longer hanging over their heads.

Daniel Chesters gave his team the perfect start as West Ham went ahead after just 65 seconds, the youngster's pass being diverted into his own net by Darryl Lachman.

West Ham were on the front foot throughout, and soon doubled their lead after Pablo Fornals was felled inside the area. Gianluca Scamacca converted the subsequent penalty, and should have added another soon after but blazed over with the goal gaping.

Perth Glory offered little but were gifted a route back into the game when Luizao put past captain Lukasz Fabianski on the stroke of half-time.

There were changes galore for the second half including the introduction of Bowen, who wasted little time getting in on the act by firing home at the near post after a neat pass by Emerson Palmieri.

It was roles reversed for the pair soon after as Bowen sent a fine cross towards then penalty spot, which Emerson beat the keeper to and headed home a fourth goal.

Perth Glory pulled another back soon after but Divin Mubama quickly restored the three-goal lead when leaping highest to meet Chesters’ beauty of a cross.

Mubama almost had a second with a superb drive from range, but was denied by an even better save, but Bowen did double up as the Hammers hit six Down Under.

David Moyes will have been pleased with the effort from his players at the full-time whistle as, 9,000 miles away, Rice was at that exact time being unveiled by Arsenal.

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