Declan Rice has suggested that West Ham may have lost against Gillingham last season, after coming through the FA Cup tie against the league One side.
Goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Pablo Fornals helped the Hammers make it through to the fourth round of the competition, despite a spirited display from the League One side.
It was a hard-fought cup tie for David Moyes' side, but Rice was full of praise for the "professional performance" put in by the Hammers as he highlighted previous failures in cup competitions for West Ham.
That included a 4-2 defeat against League One side AFC Wimbledon last season during Manuel Pellegrini's time in charge, while the Hammers also suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat against third-tier opponents in Oxford United in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
Speaking to BT Sport after the win, Rice said: “[It was] Really professional, we knew what they were going to throw at us, they treat throw-ins as corner kicks.
“We went to three at the back tonight, and the boys at the back all defended really well.
“It was a professional performance and I think the old West Ham might have come here and lost that game, like last season.
“We have a few cuts and bruises, but we have got through and we’re into the next round.”
The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup will take place tomorrow (Monday), when the Hammers will learn who they will face later this month.
