‘Incredibly crucial’: Moyes wowed by £11m West Ham ace in last night’s Conference League win

Fri 7 October 2022 7:15, UK

🌃West Ham United boss David Moyes has praised goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, in conversation with the Hammers .

🌌The 29-year-old is West Ham’s second-choice stopper, and has been playing regularly in the Europa Conference League.

𝔍Areola played the full 90 minutes in the qualifiers against Viborg as well as in all three group games so far.

ꦫThe £ Frenchman’s efforts have helped West Ham win all three of those games, putting them on the verge of the knockouts.

🐭On Thursday, Areola pulled off a spectacular save to help the Hammers run out 1-0 winners at Anderlecht.

✃Late on in the game, Fabio Silva connected perfectly with a cross and headed goalwards from point-blank range.

꧅The Hammers stopper reacted quickly to get down and block the effort.

💙Areola was also alert earlier on as he beat away a shot from Yari Verscharen.

🦩Moyes, speaking post-match, lauded Areola’s efforts in the game and throughout the season.

♊“Alphonse’s save near the end was incredibly crucial,” said the West Ham boss.

🦹“But let’s be fair, if they had scored then I don’t think [the result] would have been correct.

❀“I thought we had done enough to score more on the night.

𓃲“I have to say, though, he’s playing really well for us and he’s done a great job tonight.”

West Ham lucky to have Areola and Fabianski in their ranks – TBR View

🧔Areola has made just one Premier League appearance so far this season, replacing Lukasz Fabianski against Manchester City.

𒈔Fabianski wasn’t seriously injured and has since played the full 90 minutes in each of West Ham’s subsequent top-flight games.

ꦗThough Areola will have to be content with a spot on the bench in the league for now, he’s certainly proving his quality in the cup games.

༺Having a good deputy keeper is a must for any club hoping for success, and West Ham have just the man in Areola.