Sam and Sakho head for top awards double

Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho are up for Barclays Premier League Manager and Player of the Month awards for October.

Three wins against QPR, Burnley and Manchester City, with Sakho scoring in all three games, taking his tally to seven goals in as many starts,  has seen Sakho’s reputation soar.

Allardyce is up against Jose Mourinho, Steve Bruce and Alan Pardew for the manager’s award.

Sakho’s competition for the Player of the Month prize comes from Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, Manchester City striker Sergio Augero, West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino, Dusan Tadic of Southampton and Everton left-back Leighton Baines.