With your biggest game of the season just a week away, a knockout match in the FA Cup semi-finals, it is always a positive to know that you have a master of saving penalties behind you if the match is to be finalised by the dreaded spot kicks.
Two saves on two occassions
Heurelho Gomes had a record breaking day as he kept out West Brom striker Saido Berahino on two occasions from twelve yards, helping his side to a much needed 1-0 victory in the process.
The Brazilian has a history of such heroics after pulling off the same feat against Darren Bent in 2010 during a match for Tottenham Hotspur against Sunderland. Saturday's trip down memory lane means that Gomes is the first player in Premier League history to save two penalties in the same match on two occasions.
The best in Premier League history
Whilst his fellow Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantillimon has been beaten on several occasions from the spot this season, Gomes has an incredible 67% success rate for the campaign. Only Jamie Vardy and Yohan Cabaye have scored past him from twelve yards, whilst Glenn Murray, Oscar and now Berahino on the two occasions have been kept out.
This also means that Heurelho Gomes is the best penalty shot stopper in Premier League history. Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman originally held the lead with a 31.8% success rate after seven saves from 22 penalties.
Gomes' latest feat takes him to nine saves, alongside former West Ham and Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Rob Green, just four behind David James' record of 13. Those saves have been made from just 25 penalties, giving him a success ratio of 36%, as he overtakes Seaman and tops the 23 year old chart. Crystal Palace will be hoping that their FA Cup semi-final with Watford at Wembley next Sunday does not result in a penalty shootout.