The England number one will resume hostilities with his old foe again on Saturday – having had the last laugh twice last season
Eddie Howe has insisted his side is not focusing on renewing its long-running battle with Jordan Pickford. England’s number one has been a lightning rod for Newcastle United fans throughout his career, the former Sunderland goalkeeper a target of jokes and criticism whenever he has faced the Magpies.
He has also been at the centre of on-the-pitch bust-ups, including a melee at Goodison Park last season.
Aside from the issues he faced as Newcastle came from two goals behind to beat Everton in 2019, for all the stick he has been subjected to Pickford has repeatedly had the last laugh. He did so again when the sides met last year.
READ MORE: Newcastle United get triple fitness boost but Everton will not have to face star manREAD MORE: Dele Alli suffers setback in fight for fitness as Everton boss Sean Dyche offers update
The 30-year-old silenced St James’ Park with a stunning display in April as Everton fought back for a point secured by a late Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty. It was a result that dented Newcastle’s hopes of securing European football, adding to the pain inflicted on the club by Pickford.
Events at Goodison last December went even better for the Blues keeper, who kept a clean sheet as Everton hammered the visitors 3-0. Pickford was at the centre of a scrap that broke out on the final whistle of that win, appearing to get into an argument with Bruno Guimaraes as emotions erupted with Everton celebrating their emphatic victory.
Asked by Chronicle Live whether he had any concern about having to face Pickford again on Saturday, Newcastle boss Howe said: “I don’t think we need any extra motivation. We know last year was a painful defeat. It was at a time when we were in the midst of the season we were going to have. That was a difficult night for us and we felt the pain of the defeat.
“We know it is just about us focusing on the performance and the game. We don’t worry about individuals. It is about making sure we are at our very best.”