Brentford 4-0 Man United
At Old Trafford, Brentford’s David Raya stole the show in a collectively sensational performance. His stellar showing was key in Manchester United’s narrow loss. The last match on the first weekend of the Premier League season demonstrated why Raya is so good. He had seven saves—more than any other goalkeeper this season. He did more than just prevent Manchester United from conceding a goal, however—he continued to build his reputation as one of the league’s premiere goalkeepers.
Raya had an extraordinary performance and won player of the match. Now, it’s a well-earned and long-overdue accolade for a player who never stops earning it. He went on to help prove the strong form in which he finished last season. This performance confirms that he should be regularly included in discussions about the Premier League’s best goalkeeper.
A Goalkeeper in Form
The defining moment of David Raya’s superb performance against Manchester United was this triple save right after half-time. His best save was against Matheus Cunha, at full stretch pushing the shot wide. It appeared a sure thing for goal, but not on his watch!
“I don’t know how I saved it to be honest, it was very close to my feet,” – David Raya
His talent to dictate his space was on complete display all match long. Raya confidently caught crosses and threw punches, looking assured in his box and exemplifying the control he had of the match.
Sky Sports analyst and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville stood by Raya’s unprecedented acrobatic kick save, saying, “That is one hell of a save.” Even a well-known football commentator recently backed Raya. This approval goes a long way to back up his reputation as one of the best goalies in the Premier League.
The Golden Glove Winner
Last campaign, David Raya further proved how well he can shine in advanced roles by winning the Golden Glove. Friedel shared this award with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels. He completely earned the award last cycle, making himself an imposing force in goal.
Raya’s display in the cup final vs Manchester United was a culmination of his hot streak last season. And yet he provides game-changing saves of the most critical variety. This skill paired with his unique ability to dictate tempo makes a strong argument for him being the best of his position.
He is always up for doing great work. His record of success at Brentford makes it difficult to dismiss the upside he could have on the league as a whole.
Looking Ahead
“Raya’s incredible artistry and technique take center stage. As always, the focus now shifts to seeing how Brentford are able to carry this momentum into their next few fixtures. New manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted the emphasis remain on strengthening the squad. He reiterated the point that patience is required in this time of transition.
“The club knows the needs of the squad so we have to be patient and see. The faster they come, the better,” – Nuno Espirito Santo
As teams prepare to tackle the rigors of a long Premier League campaign, moment takes center stage and David Raya is rising to the occasion. He is already becoming an integral player for Brentford. With those expectations and many performances behind him, he’s a name to watch as the season unfolds.
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