Michael Owen cannot believe what Alphonse Areola did for West Ham v Brentford
Michael Owen was in disbelief at a moment in the West Ham defeat against Brentford involving Alphonse Areola on Saturday.
West Ham struggled to get to grips with the game and were fortunate not to have gone 2-0 down to Brentford in the first half.
However, it took just four minutes for the visitors to take the lead through Kevin Schade, who bundled the ball home with the aid of goal-line technology.
It was that very incident that left Owen stunned by what Areola had done as West Ham fell to a 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium.
Alphonse Areola sparks disbelief at West Ham
The Frenchman was perhaps unfortunate to concede the opening goal, having nearly made a save that stunned Owen when talking on PL productions (15 February, 3:57 pm).
“I thought that was the best save of the season,” said Owen. “I couldn’t believe it. Good effort from Areola.”
Areola initially made an excellent save, before clawing the ball off of the line to no prevail with Schade on hand to dispatch the rebound.
A VAR check followed the goal with the on-field decision standing after an offside check.
Concerns emerge after Brentford clash
The Irons were simply not at the races in the opening stages of the game and were fortunate to have only been one goal down after Brentford had two goals chalked out after VAR intervention.
There appeared to be no urgency in their game and should have been punished far more than they actually were for that, with the team selection from West Ham playing a part.
However, that needs to change if the Hammers are going to get anything out of the remaining games of the season. Slow starts against top opposition can often put the game out of reach before halftime.
As a whole, West Ham weren’t deserving of anything more than they received with a lack of attacking threat on show throughout the clash, matched by a vulnerability at the back.
Unsurprisingly the lack of a natural centre forward took its toll in the opening 45, with Evan Ferguson failing to offer much after his halftime introduction.
Simply put, there must be some major improvements from the showing against Brentford if the Irons are to start picking up regular points.