Sky Sports pundit wowed by incredible Jordan Pickford save for Everton against Aston Villa
Kris Boyd was stunned by Jordan Pickford as the Everton keeper pulled off an amazing save from Ollie Watkins in the loss to Aston Villa.
With the game still goalless, and soon after Neal Maupay had a header cleared off the line at one end, former Toffee Lucas Digne found Watkins with a cross from the left, and the England striker headed the ball into the ground before it bounced towards the top corner.
England’s number one showed all of his quality to scramble across and tip the effort onto the post before James Tarkowski cleared it off his own line, leaving the watching Boyd wowed in the studio.
While Jeff Stelling was speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (25 February, 4.18pm) Boyd could be heard in the background exclaiming “what a save” repeatedly.
Stelling said: “Jordan Pickford signed a new contract this week and he has been in action.”
“Wow Jeff, what a save this is,” responded Boyd. “It’s Lucas Digne down the left-hand side, he fires it in, Watkins gets free in the box and heads it down in the six-yard box. Oh, what a save.
“He’s at full stretch and manages to get it on the post. It comes back across the goalkeeper and they manage to get it cleared. What a save it is.
“Tarkowski kicks it off the line, what a save it is from Jordan Pickford to keep it at 0-0.”
Wonder-save
At the end of a week where the keeper’s new contract has drawn scrutiny over ambition or commitment, and the potential for moves to Premier League rivals, Pickford pulled out a reminder for everyone of why he can be so important.
The save was superb, and had Everton managed to find a goal at the other end would have joined the list of stops he has made that have helped win points.
As it was a soft penalty was instead awarded by Anthony Taylor which Pickford could do nothing about and Sean Dyche suffered his first defeat at home.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the 28-year-old, who was beaten at his near post for Emi Buendia’s goal to make it 2-0, although it was smashed in with some force, and there were claims the Everton star should have conceded a penalty himself in the first half.
His many detractors will focus on the negative aspects of the game, while his fans will look at the save that had Boyd so impressed.
But it is eye-catching play like that which will probably keep the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United sniffing around in the summer despite the new contract announcement.