It's been a long road for Rob Elliot to the point where he now stands; a first-choice goalkeeper for a Premier League side.
Having moved to Newcastle United in 2011, his appearances in goal had been sporadic. Yet, under Rafa Benitez, the Irish 'keeper has taken his chance, and, after a touch start to the season for the Magpies, Elliot was the hero today as a vital win was sealed away to West Ham United.
After going 1-0 behind early to a wonderful virtuoso effort from a resurgent Marko Arnautovic, Newcastle were back on equal terms quickly enough.
Taking the lead early in the second through Mohamed Diame, Newcastle were almost immediately reliant on the impressive Elliot.
After a contentious penalty-call went against Benitez's men, West Ham turned to Andre Ayew with the hope that he could level proceedings quicker than even Newcastle had after the Hammers took their initial lead.
Although Elliot's international hopes are currently being stymied by the ever-present Darren Randolph, he stared down an intense Ayew and pulled off a crucial penalty save.
To the understandable delight of his teammates, it took Newcastle only 5 minutes to get their 3rd of the afternoon and put some daylight between themselves and West Ham.
While Ayew scored what would ultimately be a consolation for the Hammers with 20 minutes to go, Elliot's save, halting West Ham from leveling the tie, was a crucial factor in granting Newcastle (and Rafa Benitez) a massive win.
Needless to say, there was plenty of talk about the 31-year old with only 4 Irish caps.
Brilliant by @the_dilsh! A Christmas gift that Rob Elliot snatches away from Ayew! #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 23, 2017
WHATS HAPPENED TO MY CLUB OMG I WANT TO CRY ROB ELLIOT I LOVE YOU
— Billy (@BillyDey01) December 23, 2017
ROB ELLIOT GET IN #NUFC
— Lee Barry (@iamleebarry) December 23, 2017
One suggestion was that Ayew's international teammate (and Newcastle United player) Christian Atsu may have lent Elliot a little helpful advice in the build up to the penalty.
Rob Elliot saves Andre Ayew's penalty with a little assist from Christian Atsu. Atsu had a quick word with his goalkeeper just before his Ghana teammate Ayew stepped up to take the kick. #insideinfo #whufc #nufc
— Adrian Kajumba (@AdrianJKajumba) December 23, 2017
Either way, the Irish international Elliot continues his strong start to the season. A few more performances like this and Newcastle should be on the comeback trail in no time at all.
