Declan Rice and Mark Noble lead West Ham to easy win over Newcastle

West Ham’s supporters came in homage to Billy Bonds, around 20,000 of them taking their seats in the stand that was named after him in a stirring ceremony before kick-off. They left basking in the most routine of victories and enjoying an apposite reminder that their club still produces heroes through the generations.

Declan Rice set them on their way against a dreary Newcastle with a header that Bonds would have admired and embellished his soaring reputation throughout. Mark Noble, a captain who strives to mould himself in Bonds’ image, added a penalty and it capped a game that, for one day at least, captured West Ham’s past and present in perfect harmony.

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