Lukasz Fabianski better than ever after what he did for West Ham
Lukasz Fabiański is playing “as good as ever” for West Ham as he approaches his 40th birthday, Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (17 December, 6:13am), the two pundits hailed Fabianski’s performance in the Irons’ 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Monday, after he denied Ryan Christie towards the end.
The Hammers faced 29 shots from the hosts at the Vitality Stadium and took a late lead through Lucas Paqueta’s penalty, only for Bournemouth to equalise via Enes Unal’s 90th-minute free-kick.
Stelling said: “One thing I would say is, Lukasz Fabianski – he is almost 40, and he is as good as ever, he was fantastic last night.”
McCoist added: “Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. Ryan Christie had two or three shots – one he got out of his feet and hit, it was close to Fabianski but it was a very, very good save.
“You’re right, it’s good to see no age barrier at all, playing probably as well as he’s played – potentially ever – but in a long, long time.”
Lukasz Fabiański proving to be a revelation for West Ham United
Few would have expected Fabianski to be back between the sticks for the Irons regularly upon the start of the season in August, with Alphonse Areola previously viewed as the clear number one.
Fabianski coming off the bench to deputise for an injured Areola against Manchester City in August was expected to be one of the few times Hammers fans would see the veteran getting Premier League minutes.
However, Areola’s form falling off a cliff necessitated a change for Lopetegui eight games ago, and the 39-year-old has certainly justified his place, with Bournemouth the latest in several impressive displays.
Areola will be keen to reclaim his place before the end of the season, but as we approach the halfway stage of the league campaign, the Frenchman doesn’t look like displacing Fabianski any time soon.
The end is coming for Fabianski at the London Stadium as his contract expires in 2025, but on his current form, you’d hardly blame the Hammers for offering him a new deal.
In other West Ham news, Martin Allen thinks what happened after Paqueta’s goal v Bournemouth could be ‘significant’ for the club.
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