‘World class’ – Jordan Pickford praised for brilliant save v Aston Villa
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford pulled off one of the saves of the season against Aston Villa in the first half to deny Ollie Watkins.
The England number one started in goal for Duncan Ferguson’s first game in charge as an interim boss since Rafa Benitez’s sacking in a fiercely contested game against Steven Gerrard’s side.
With the game as intense as many expected it was Villa who had the best opportunities of the half with Everton failing to register a shot on target.
But the biggest moment up to that point came after great work down the wing by Emiliano Buendia who clipped a cross to Watkins for a free header from six yards out.
Pickford dived across his goal and spread himself big, only for Watkins to head the ball back where it came from. With Pickford scrambling, he stuck a leg out and stopped the ball from finding the back of the net with a brilliant stop.
Darren Fletcher was stunned by what he saw and declared it one of the saves of the season so far while live on air for BT Sport.
“What a save, Outstanding save. One of the saves of the season from Jordan Pickford. The applause inside Goodison Park, in fact, it’s a standing ovation, for the Everton goalkeeper. That was world class.”
Amazing
We’re going to ignore the fact that Watkins was eventually called offside for the attack, because what Pickford produced was simply brilliant.
Everton have struggled defensively this season but in fairness to the England number one, he’s done his best and there isn’t much he could do about anything this season.
This save has produced a moment of magic for the fans to get behind and proven that he is still more than good enough to succeed at Goodison Park.
His international place has come under fire too recently, but with performances like this, he is sure to keep his place under Gareth Southgate heading into the World Cup at the end of the year.
In other Everton news, ‘How?’ – Don Hutchison ‘stunned’ by major Everton manager update this week