Did TV cameras pick up the real reason for below par Declan Rice display in West Ham draw with Chelsea.
West Ham secured a point at home against Chelsea although the game looks to have come at a huge cost for David Moyes.
Joao Felix gave Chelsea the lead in an opening 20 minutes where West Ham barely laid a glove on the visitors.
But Emerson equalised against his old club with a tap-in at the far post to secure the point.
West Ham have been rocked by a major double injury blow to Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd with both forced off during the game.
Moyes confirmed post match he did not know how serious the injuries were but said they were shoulder and groin problems respectively.
One player who did not look up to his usual supremely high standards was West Ham captain Rice.
While he did not have a stinker by any means, Rice was not his usual all-action, influential self.
Before the game the midfield clash between Rice and Chelsea new boy Enzo Fernandez was given big billing.
And it says a lot that BT Sport felt Chelsea’s £106m man got the better of that battle, awarding him man of the match.
Rice looked a touch lethargic at times even if he was still one of West Ham’s better players on the day.
But did TV cameras pick up the real reason for the below par Rice display in the West Ham draw with Chelsea?
When West Ham and Chelsea were warning up before the match on the London Stadium pitch, BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Gianfranco Zola were stood on the turf discussing the game.
As they talked about Rice the camera cut away to zoom in on the Hammers captain.
And he could clearly be seen repeatedly rubbing his temples and head. West Ham assistant coach Kevin Nolan could be seen speaking to Rice, who appeared to say “my head is killing me”.
Rice also looked a touch pale so it could well be the midfield talisman was suffering with a severe headache or slight migraine ahead of the match.
If he was then it says everything about him that he went out and put a shift in for the team when they need him most.
West Ham must gather the walking wounded now and go again in another huge London derby against Spurs next weekend.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
West Ham need a new owner and a new plan to compete in future says Cole.
£25m EA deal boost after new agreement fbut only if Hammers survive.
West Ham would’ve ‘battered’ Rangers in Europa League final says former Prem star.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
