Alan Shearer names Jordan Pickford in Team of the Week after ‘incredible’ moment in Everton v Sheffield United
Former England striker Alan Shearer has named Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in his Premier League Team of the Week.
The Merseyside outfit drew 2-2 with newly-promoted side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday (2 September).
But they were saved from certain defeat by their number one, who produced a superb double save in second-half stoppage time to help secure the draw.
That dramatic effort came after he had netted an own goal in first-half stoppage time as Cameron Archer’s shot bounced off the post and into Pickford before rolling into the net.
“Unfortunate to score an own goal, but produced an incredible double save at the end along with two other big stops,” Shearer told the official Premier League website.
Key player
Pickford is a hugely important player for the Toffees, who did very well in the summer transfer window to keep him at the club.
The goalkeeper and indeed midfield maestro Amadou Onana were both linked with Goodison Park exits, but Everton fans can breathe a sigh of relief after both stayed on Merseyside.
A lot has been made about the club’s attacking struggles in recent times, with the match against the Blades representing Everton’s first goals of the new Premier League campaign, which came at the fourth time of asking.
But at the same time, their defence hasn’t been perfect, with Pickford saving the line in front of him on many occasions.
The goalkeeper now heads away on international duty with England, where he will no doubt have a similarly important role to play under Gareth Southgate. He will then return to Goodison Park to help Everton climb further up the table after their point at Bramall Lane.
In other Everton news, the Toffees plan to reintegrate an angry player barring an unexpected late change, according to David Ornstein.