Troy Deeney, now BBC pundit, had previously questioned the performances of England’s number one
Troy Deeney acknowledged now is the time “to give him his flowers” after having previously been critical of Jordan Pickford this season. The former Premier League player – now a pundit with the BBC – named Everton’s goalkeeper in his Team of the Week following the 30-year-old’s penalty save against Newcastle United.
Pickford thwarted former teammate Anthony Gordon as he dived the right way in front of the Gwladys Street as he inspired Everton’s first clean sheet of the campaign.
It was a key moment for Pickford and his side, both of whom have endured a tough start to the season. But the stop was crucial in helping an injury-hit Everton to secure a draw and head into the international break three games unbeaten.
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Presenting his team of the week on the BBC, Deeney said: “I’ve given Jordan a lot of stick over the course of this season because I think he’s played awful at times, but now I’m going to give him his flowers. I thought he played really well against Newcastle, not only with his penalty save, but I thought he was more measured and more controlled. He got hold of his team, claimed a clean sheet and earned them a well-deserved point.”
After the game, Pickford said he was pleased to pull off the save – but said it was no sweeter for coming against a side whose supporters attempt to torment him due to his links to arch-rivals Sunderland.
He said: “I just crack on with me game. I know they give me stick. I stay focussed. I learnt from the past; I stay focussed and I want to do my best for the badge. They can give me stick, I’m only up the road from them.
“It was an all right penalty save. It wasn’t a great pen from Ant, I would say. I think he will be disappointed. But I’ve got to back myself and go the right way, which I did.
“I didn’t say anything [to Gordon] before. I focus on my processes; I’ve got the better of him tonight. I read the pen, we move on. When we play for England and Ant has been here before, he’s executed pens perfectly. I fancied it tonight and luckily I went the right way.”