Declan Rice questions David Moyes’ tactics in Tottenham defeat as West Ham face relegation battle

DECLAN RICE questioned David Moyes’ tactics – as West Ham continued to struggle.

England star Rice felt the Irons forwards were isolated in Sunday’s derby defeat, which puts them 18th in the Premier League.

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And in his absence, Antonio Conte orchestrated Tottenham’s win – to get back in the top four – by texting No 2 Cristian Stellini during the game.

Rice said: “When you play five at the back and three like we set up today, maybe our forwards felt a little bit isolated when we got the ball to them – they didn’t really have enough around them, not enough support. “

Moyes has led West Ham to sixth and seventh in the table in his two full seasons since returning for a second spell as boss in December 2019.

This term is reminiscent of the relegation battle he faced upon arrival.

The Hammers offered little as Spurs won thanks to goals from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min.

And Scot Moyes said: “It’s been a problem all season, we couldn’t make it.

“Players have now been challenged, let’s see who’s up for the fight.

“I’ll be checking on the players this week and the color of their eyes. You can imagine what color mine will be.”

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Spurs are back in the top four for the first time since New Year’s Eve and will stay there for two weeks while Newcastle are in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

They won it with Chef Conte resting in Italy while recovering from gallbladder surgery.

His assistant Stellini said: “Conte sent some texts to the bank and they transmitted them to me.

“He’s good and can get involved, so that’s fine.

“Sometimes I wanted to do things and I asked him – sometimes he told us to wait and sometimes he asked what we think of players and their endurance.”

Stellini said he doesn’t expect Conte to return to visit Chelsea on Sunday but rather in the week after, either for the trip to Wolves or the Champions League Round of 16 second leg at home against AC Milan.

Son started on the bench but scored his fifth Prem goal of the season four minutes after coming on.

It was only the second time he had been eliminated in the league this season – the first in the 6-2 win over Leicester in September, when he scored a hat-trick in the second half.

Son, 30, said: “No one wants to be on the bench but you have to accept it.

“The manager always makes the decision.”

Tottenham lashed out at the “absolutely reprehensible” online racist slurs directed at Son during the game.

Spurs has reported the trolling to authorities and has called for action against the perpetrators.