Alphonse Areola sets double record amid latest positive West Ham United news
West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has set a double record, according to the official Premier League website.
The shot-stopper has become the first Frenchman and first Hammers goalkeeper to win the Premier League Save of the Month Award.
The 30-year-old clinched the honour for October for his diving stop to deny Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in the clash at Villa Park.
“The score was 0-0 after 11 minutes at Villa Park when West Ham goalkeeper Areola dived full-length to his left to tip over a powerful long-range strike by the Brazilian,” according to the official Premier League website. “He is both the first Frenchman and the first West Ham goalkeeper to win the honour.”
Super stop
The Hammers may not have won the meeting at Villa Park, with the hosts running riot in a 4-1 win, but Areola can be proud of his efforts on 22 October.
The goalkeeper certainly kept the scoreline down as much as possible with some fine stops, most notably his early save to keep out a curling long-range Luiz strike.
The Frenchman was even nominated for the award for another stop in October, this time when he kept out an effort from Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure during the clash at the London Stadium a week later.
He has certainly done a good job between the sticks this season, having been promoted to the number one role for the Premier League matches in place of Lukasz Fabianski.
The latter has largely been utilised in the Europa League, in what is a reverse of roles when compared to last season, when Fabianski was first choice.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers will be impacted if a potential Premier League rule change is implemented, with a vote impending.