DEC THE HALLS

It's a Rice love-in as Moyes and Arteta swoon over Gunners midfield maestro

- BY ANDY DUNN

IT was probably scant consolation to Everton fans, but at least their manager was one half of a nice photo on social media, posted by the game's outstanding player.

After his dominant performance in a drab contest at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Declan Rice took to Instagram to send out a dressing-room snap of himself and a beaming David Moyes, with a lovely caption. "Forever grateful to this man!" Nice.

In return, Moyes was suitably humble, playing down the significance of his role in Rice's progress when the two worked together at West Ham.

"Declan developed himself," said Moyes. "It was not down to me. Declan was always going to be a great player. Mikel (Arteta) has made him into a real, real top player.

"He's a great boy. More than anything, he's a terrific boy. Because of that, it will give him a chance. A great player as well - lots of top attributes."