Nick Pope wins ‘unexpected’ inaugural Premier League award as Newcastle United claim double
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The England international’s fine diving save to deny Adam Lallana in the goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion last month has been named the first ever winner of the save of the month award for the English top flight.
It’s a monthly award double for Newcastle as well with Allan Saint-Maximin claiming the goal of the month award for his strike at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Hide AdPope was also nominated for the player of the month award but was beaten by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
After winning save of the month, Pope said: “It's not something you quite expect and it's nice to be the first winner of the award.
"Before the cross comes in you're thinking 'can I come out and affect the cross, come out and punch it, catch it and make that split-second decision?’
"I saw him flying in, thinking he was favourite to win the header, so luckily enough I hit the ground and managed to turn it around the post.”
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Hide AdPope also won Newcastle United’s FUN88 club player of the month for August with the 30-year-old has made a big impact since his £10million summer arrival from Burnley.
In his opening six Premier League matches for The Magpies, Pope has kept three clean sheets while also making a number of impressive saves in the process, the highlight of which being the now award-winning stop at The Amex Stadium.