Jordan Pickford saved Anthony Gordon’s penalty to help Everton to a hard earned point against Newcastle
Jordan Pickford has explained his exchange with Anthony Gordon at full-time of Everton’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle at Goodison Park on Saturday evening. The Toffees goalkeeper was the hero after saving his former team-mate’s penalty kick midway through the first half to secure a point.
Gordon’s miss was met by wild celebrations at Goodison as the former Everton academy graduate failed to capitalise on James Tarkowski’s moment of madness when he dragged Sandro Tonali to the ground.
And Pickford, who made several other decent stops during the game, explained how he worked out which way Gordon was going to go when he stepped up to take the spot-kick – something the Newcastle winger made a beeline to ask him after the full-time whistle.
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“I think we know playing against Newcastle is going to be tough. The intensity is high. We weren’t at our best but we were resilient and we had to dig in. We want three points but to not lose the game is great and our first clean sheet on the board,” Pickford told Sky Sports.
“To be fair, I watched the game last week and he reversed it against Ederson and I fancied him going keeper’s left. It hit my knee and straight off my beak [nose]. I think he will be disappointed but I am there to make the save and that’s what I did.
“It’s like trying to double bluff each other and I have got the better of him tonight, It was a big moment and I am pleased it helped us get the draw.
“He asked me why did I go that way and I just said, he went right on both of his last ones so I fancied you going left. I back myself on penalties and it is the first I have saved for Everton for a while. It is a point and a clean sheet and we build on that.
Pickford added: “We have to keep working hard and keep improving and keep pushing more day in day out. I thought tonight we weren’t at our best at all. It is about us and the squad pushing together. Every game is tough and we have got to take our chances against teams.
“We have got a couple of injuries and everyone has got to be ready for the chance. You have to take the opportunity and give the manager as headache.”