West Ham United took on Everton away from home at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers won 3-1. David Moyes’s side had to come from a goal down to pick up all three points from the encounter against Everton, who are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.
Sue Smith was following the match for Sky Sports, and the former Leeds United Women and England international player was hugely impressed by the display produced by Alphonse Areola.
Praise for West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola vs Everton
While speaking about Areola in the second half, the Sky Sports pundit noted a brilliant save he made and the penalty from Beto that he kept out.
Smith said on Sky Sports News (4:32 pm, March 2, 2024): “Areola has been absolutely superb. He obviously saved the penalty, saved a couple of other opportunities. Beto, outside the area, deflected, his shot, and Areola comes from nowhere to save it.”
My View: Alphonse Areola is an underrated player
In my opinion, West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is one of the most underrated players in his position in the Premier League.
Areola does not always hit the headlines and get the plaudits, but he is a very good goalkeeper who does his job quietly and efficiently.
He is 31 now and is at the top of his game at the moment. Let us not forget that the France international came from Paris Saint-Germain.
You do not get to play over 70 Ligue 1 matches for PSG if you are not a very good goalkeeper. He also had a loan spell at Real Madrid and won the 2018 World Cup with France and reached the final in 2022.
