West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola has been nominated for the Castrol Premier League Save of the Season award.
The score was 0-0 after eleven minutes when Areola made a stunning full-stretch stop to deny Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and prevent the deadlock being broken at Villa Park. The Frenchman’s performance in the East Midlands was one of few positives against Unai Emery's high-flying Villa, and has put the shot-stopper in contention among eight other goalkeepers for the annual prize.
Brazilian international Luiz collected a pass on the edge of the box before his curling effort looked destined for the top corner, but Areola dived full-length to his left to tip over the crossbar.
That brilliant act has already seen our No23 win the October Save of the Month award, which made him the first Frenchman and West Ham goalkeeper to do so.
Another superb save by Areola, this time to thwart Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, was also shortlisted for the October gong.
The 31-year-old, who has enjoyed another outstanding season between the sticks, was also in contention for both November’s and February’s awards for his save to deny Zeki Amdouni in West Ham’s 2-1 win away at Burnley, before producing yet another superb stop to foil Leandro Trossard of Arsenal at London Stadium.
Also shortlisted for the award are Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Robert Sanchez of Chelsea, Thomas Kaminski of Luton Town, Wes Foderingham of Sheffield United, Jordan Pickford of Everton, Mark Flekken of Brentford, Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest and Manchester United’s Andre Onana.
Voting is now open for the Castrol Save of the Season, and will close at 6pm BST on Friday 24 May, with the winner being announced at 1pm BST on Sunday 26 May.
