Alan Smith stunned by Declan Rice goal in West Ham clash v Aston Villa
Alan Smith was blown away by Declan Rice’s goal for West Ham in their 4-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Rice, 22, grabbed his third goal of the season in all competitions to put the Hammers 2-1 ahead in the 38th minute.
The England international had acres of space outside the penalty area before fizzing a shot through the Villa defence and beating Emiliano Martinez in the bottom corner down to the goalkeeper’s right.
Smith was stunned that it beat Martinez, who may not have had a clear view of the striker due to the crowd of players.
“Well, I’ve got to admit to being surprised to see this one end up in that far corner,” said Smith on Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday after the goal went in.
“Martinez has been in such good form since putting on those gloves for Villa but he says he couldn’t see it.
“It’s not the most fierce drive that Declan Rice has ever hit – but it was an important one for his team. He’s just thought, ‘I’ll have a go here’.
“It’s a bouncing effort past the ‘keeper.
“He did see it late I think and it is right in the corner, that same corner Ben Johnson hit.
“Well, what a response.”
Martinez not as solid
There’s no denying that Martinez is one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League but the former Arsenal man had a bit of a nightmare against West Ham.
Johnson and Rice were our two unlikely goalscorers at Villa Park with both of them beating Martinez with low strikes into the bottom corner.
Villa’s outfield players probably could have done more to prevent the goals but Martinez was unsighted and at full stretch for both. There wasn’t much he could do if we’re honest.
But, if you don’t buy a ticket then you cannot win the lottery and that’s exactly what Rice did.
It was so obviously coming too as the England midfielder was screaming for the ball outside the penalty area.
He saw how much space he had and that he’d been able to get a shot towards goal.
That’s exactly what happened and it was a very nice goal to watch as the ball beat Martinez right in the bottom corner.
In other West Ham news, Stan Collymore has hit out at Hammers fans after what happened this week and also slammed GSB.
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