DOMINIC Solanke has been voted the English Premier League Player of the Month for December, becoming the first player in Bournemouth history to win the award.
Solanke has won the prize for the first time in his career after scoring a Premier League-high six goals in December to move just two behind Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah in the top scorer race.
The 26-year-old, who was born in England to a Nigerian father, scored in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, recorded his first career hat-trick in a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest, and netted in 3-0 victories over both Manchester United and Fulham as Bournemouth won four of their six December matches.
Solanke is only the fourth Bournemouth player or manager to win a Premier League monthly award.
Eddie Howe won the Manager of the Month three times between 2017 and 2018, while Charlie Daniels and Jermain Defoe won the Goal of the Month prize in August and December 2017 respectively.
Solanke topped an eight-man shortlist after votes on the EA SPORTS website were combined with those of a panel of football experts.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was voted Manager of the Month for December, beating beating Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool and West Ham United’s David Moyes to the prize after leading his up to second place in the table.
“I’m thankful and very proud of our work,” Emery said. “The most important thing is to be consistent, be demanding, and try to improve every day.”
