“Better than kudus, Bowen and Pacqueta”- Michael Dawson singles out underrated West Ham star for his stunning display in the clash despite being let down by his teammates
Michael Dawson expressed his astonishment after witnessing Alphonse Areola pull off what he described as an “unbelievable” save during West Ham United’s 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
The Hammers traveled to North London on 19 October, hoping for a competitive display against their London rivals, but the match quickly turned sour. Despite the heavy defeat, Areola produced a moment of brilliance in the first half, denying Pedro Porro with a remarkable save that caught the eye of many, including Dawson.
Speaking on Sky Sports News during their live broadcast [19 October, 13:06], former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson was left in awe of the 31-year-old French goalkeeper’s heroic effort. “This is world-class from Areola, it really is,” Dawson remarked with clear admiration.
Dawson went on to describe the play, saying, “The corner is played to the edge of the box, probably 25 yards out, and Pedro Porro strikes it. Rodriguez goes to close him down, but the ball takes a wicked deflection. Areola is diving to his right when it suddenly deflects to his left. His reaction is just unbelievable.”
However, it wasn’t just the initial save that impressed Dawson. He highlighted the Frenchman’s follow-up, saying, “Not only does he make the save, but he manages to get up again in time to prevent Solanke from tapping it in from six yards out. A huge save for Areola.”
While the scoreline may not reflect it, Areola’s save was one of the rare bright moments in an otherwise disappointing afternoon for West Ham, who struggled to contain Spurs’ relentless attack. The French goalkeeper, however, did everything in his power to prevent an even worse defeat.
Areola’s journey to West Ham began in the summer of 2022 when he arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. After a strong initial season, the Hammers made the deal permanent. Since then, he has edged out veteran Lukasz Fabianski for the number-one spot. In his final season under David Moyes, Areola solidified his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and he has retained that status under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
However, the 2024/25 season has not started well for West Ham. They have struggled defensively, managing to keep just one clean sheet in the Premier League. Areola’s job has been made all the more difficult by Lopetegui’s constant tinkering with the backline. The Spanish manager has experimented with different defensive combinations throughout the campaign, but there now seems to be some stability with Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman emerging as the preferred center-back pairing.
Despite Areola’s best efforts, including saves like the one against Tottenham, West Ham’s defense has often left him exposed. The heavy defeat at Spurs is a reminder that for the French goalkeeper to truly shine, he needs more support from the players in front of him. Lopetegui’s decision to finally settle on a consistent defensive duo may provide Areola with the stability he needs to maintain his form.
As the season progresses, West Ham will be hoping for better performances, especially in the defensive department. Areola’s individual quality is unquestionable, but for the Hammers to climb the table, it’s clear that a collective improvement is necessary.