Gary Lineker details ‘unusual’ Jordan Pickford footage in Everton draw v Sheffield United
Gary Lineker noticed an odd detail regarding Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as his side drew with Sheffield United on Saturday (2 September).
The England international scored an own goal in the first half after the ball bounced back off the post and hit him on the head before he made a superb double-save in injury time, with the ball once again rebounding off his head as he helped the Toffees to a 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane.
Speaking on Match of the Day on 2 September (1:05), the presenter highlighted that it was “unusual” for a goalkeeper to have two headers in one game, but he admitted that the 29-year-old was in “top form” against the Blades, while pundit Jermaine Jenas was also mightily impressed by his performance.
“Had it not been for him (Pickford), I think they would’ve lost this game,” said Jenas. “There was nothing he could’ve done about that (the own goal), it could’ve knocked his confidence but it didn’t.
“This is the one, last minute McBurnie came flying in and look at this for a save. I mean he’s flying and it’s like he gets the tips of his fingers just to it as it hits the crossbar and then when it comes back, it hits him on his head.
“I just think he had a game to redeem himself from where he was blamed for not coming out to get the cross last week. A good day for Pickford.”
Effective
It was pretty unusual to see Pickford head the ball twice in one game, but it proved to be effective in the end as it ensured Everton came away with a point.
He was incredibly unlucky to score the own goal in the first half because there was absolutely nothing he could have done to prevent it from happening.
The England number one is no stranger to bizarre things happening when he’s involved on the pitch, but it paid off for him later on in the game against the Blades.
Although Pickford perhaps hasn’t had the start to the season he may have hoped for, he will be hoping to build on his performance in South Yorkshire after making a number of excellent stops throughout the afternoon.
It’s only a point for the Blues, but Sean Dyche will be pleased to be up and running in the Premier League and he’ll now be looking to work hard with the players before they host Arsenal after the international break.
In other Everton news, a BBC chief shared why the Toffees were forced to sell one star in the transfer window.