Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was England’s saviour again, making a big save in a crucial moment in their 3-0 win in Greece
Even some of Jordan Pickford’s harshest critics were forced to make dramatic U-turns after the Everton goalkeeper once again proved to be England’s hero last night. The 30-year-old made a spectacular save to deny Fotis Ioannidis when the forward was through on goal with Greece pushing for an equaliser in Athens.
The Three Lions needed to win by a two-goal margin to take control of UEFA Nations League Group B2 and, although they eventually ran out 3-0 victors in Athens, the Blues ace’s crucial stop – carrying on from his fine form at the London Stadium on Saturday, with an acrobatic save in stoppage time to deny substitute Danny Ings a winner for West Ham United – proved to be a major turning point in the game.
At the time, ITV match summariser Lee Dixon, who in the past has told us how having the Washington-born custodian scream at him during matches wouldn’t have helped his game, conceded: “It was a great save by Pickford… great goalkeeping, an absolutely brilliant save.”
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Perhaps the most empathic about turn came from Roy Keane back in the studio though.
You might have imagined the former Manchester United captain to say that the Goodison Park fan favourite was “just doing his job” but Keane said: “I think tonight was about the important players turning up when you’re looking at the spine of your team.
“I’ve been a big critic of Pickford, but I thought he was on it tonight, particularly the save in the second half. This (the save from Ioannidis) is a huge moment, it’s 1-0 in the game and it can change quickly, it’s a brilliant save, all credit to him, it’s a fantastic save, he’s produced at the big moment.
“That save was a huge turning point in the game. Also, his distribution, when he was on it, his passing, his decision-making, he seemed to make all the right choices.”
The Cork man’s charitable comments only stretched so far though as when anchorman Mark Pougatch suggested it was “a great night for Thomas Tuchel” with interim manager Lee Carsley getting the job done by showing the strength in depth that England have before Gareth Southgate’s successor takes the reins in the new year.
Keane chimed: “You’ve got an Irish fella to get you to the top of the group and now you’ve got a German waiting!”
