Darren Randolph handed first Premier League start in a year as Fabianki pulls up in Goodison warm-up
The Bray man was a late replacement for first-choice Lukasz Fabianski, who pulled up in the warm-up having initially been named to make his 31st consecutive league star. Credit: Clare McCahill (ETPhotos)
Republic of Ireland number one Darren Randolph has been handed his first Premier League start in over 11 months for West Ham United’s new year’s day clash with Everton at Goodison Park.
The Bray man was a late replacement for first-choice Lukasz Fabianski, who pulled up in the warm-up having initially been named to make his 31st consecutive league start.
Ireland captain Seamus Coleman makes his first league start in two months for the Toffees after recovering from a hamstring injury aggravated ahead of November's friendly with England.
Randolph has had to be patient for his opportunities since rejoining the Hammers last January and his last domestic outing came in a 4-1 EFL Cup defeat to the same opposition in September.
There's been a late change to our line up with Randolph coming into the starting XI in place of Fabianski. Martin joins the squad on the bench.#EVEWHUhttps://t.co/uS9RRCONBe
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 1, 2021
The 33-year-old has been in good form on the international stage, however, with three clean sheets from his seven appearances this season.
It’s not yet known how serious Fabianski’s complaint is but Randolph will hope to use the chance to stake his claim for a regular starting berth.
