English media reacts to Jordan Pickford performance as Everton goalkeeper plays in draw v USA
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford started and kept a clean sheet in England’s second match of the World Cup against the USA on Friday 25 November.
The 28-year-old shot-stopper was brought into action on a more regular basis than The Three Lions opener against Iran as Gareth Southgate’s side struggled to impose themselves on the match.
The Euro 2020 finalists have their centre-backs and goalkeeper to thank for the point earnt against an impressive US side, who were at their energetic best all evening long.
England’s match ended in a 0-0 stalemate in a game of few clear-cut chances, but what did the home media make of Pickford’s performance?
The goalkeeper was “strong collecting crosses” during the goalless draw, according to the Evening Standard and was awarded a 6/10 rating after “easily saving Yunus Musah’s long-range shot in the 29th minute” in an otherwise quiet evening.
The Telegraph produced a more favourable assessment of the Evertonian, rating him a 7/10: “The goalkeeper got stuck into his defenders after Weston McKennie almost opened the scoring for USA and was grateful to see a Christian Pulisic shot hit the bar.”
Sky Sports praised the goalkeeper’s “sturdy and calm” nature among a barrage of US pressure at points: “Had a lot of the USA’s close shaves covered but only had one save to make in front of a wasteful USA attack.”
Strong presence
Although England were pedestrian and rather uninspired during their goalless draw against the U.S., Pickford cannot be blamed for any of their undoings.
The Evertonian was a strong, stable base in an otherwise crumbling England team and he stood up when his country needed him.
Although he didn’t have any difficult saves to make all night, a goalkeeper’s presence and stature can keep a back four at ease, and it would have been easy for Pickford to have his standards lowered by those around him.
His distribution was brilliant as per usual, and he dealt with crosses from the USA’s seven corner kicks with maturity.
He saved well from Yunus Musah’s long-range strike in the first half and was forced into a smart save from Pulisic’s corner which was heading straight onto the head of Walker Zimmerman.
All in all, a strong night at the office for The Three Lions goalkeeper.