When his West Ham United team needed him, Alphonse Areola was ready to step up against Chelsea on Sunday.
The final scoreline read 3-1 in the Hammers’ favour in their Premier League home opener against the Blues, but they had to put in a real shift to get there.
Areola’s performance epitomised that and, but for his penalty save from Enzo Fernández two minutes before the interval, the final outcome may have been very different.
With Carney Chukwuemeka having cancelled out Nayef Aguerd’s early opener, and the Argentina international boasting a perfect career record of five penalties scored from five, the Hammers seemed to be up against it.
But Areola’s save down low to his right breathed new life into the hosts’ challenge and second half goals from Michail Antonio and Paquetá carried them to three memorable points.
Understandably, the France goalkeeper left the pitch wearing the broadest of smiles.
“It was amazing,” he beamed. “We wanted to level up our game after [drawing 1-1 at] Bournemouth and I think today we showed that we are strong defensively and can score after that.
“We tried to survive first and then with the red card [for Aguerd midway through the second half], which was unlucky, we showed that we have the character and we are now experienced and used what happened last season [to achieve a positive outcome in this game].
"I was quite confident on the penalty. I was ready and luckily for me and for the team I stopped it. I was happy and happy for the team, and I think it helped the team to push and keep our belief."
That was not the only occasion Areola was called upon as the last line of defence, with one other save in particular standing out.
When Noni Madueke struck from outside the box in second half stoppage time, and with the Hammers leading 2-1, a deflection off Tomáš Souček had home hearts in mouths. There was no need to worry though, as Areola showed his athleticism to redirect his dive and push the shot aside.
"Sometimes it’s just instinct and the ball was so quick," he explained. "It was touched by Tomáš and I had to react. My body and my mind are ready for these situations. We are working hard all week for that and I was happy to keep that one out of the goal."
The Hammers’ success owed much to their unity. Their resolve under pressure. Their determination not to be beaten, not least when Aguerd was red carded for a second bookable offence with 23 minutes left to play.
West Ham led 2-1 at that stage, and Areola hailed the work ethic which secured the three points thereafter.
“Nothing changed after the red card, even when Edi (Edson Álvarez) came in [to the pitch], Pablo [Fornals] as well,” he continued.
“They stepped into the work and pushed everyone as well, by showing they had the energy to help and not concede.
“It was an amazing feeling at the end. The fans are happy and we are happy for that. We are more experienced now and ready for any situation, so let’s keep pushing like that!
“We have to recover, it was a quality game from us and physically demanding as well today. Let’s recover and be ready for that next game.”
