English press reacts to Jordan Pickford display as Everton goalkeeper plays v Ukraine
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford may have seen his run of clean sheets in an England shirt come to an end, but he still earned praise for his display in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine.
England’s perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying came to an end in a 1-1 draw at Stadion Miejski in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday [9 September].
Oleksandr Zinchenko fired past Pickford at the end of a well-worked Ukraine move after 26 minutes, but Kyle Walker levelled up with his first international goal shortly before half-time.
Pickford otherwise had little to do, although he was still hailed by certain sections of the English press for the way in which he helped to sweep up Ukraine attacks.
The Guardian’s Nick Ames wrote of Pickford in his player ratings piece for the publication [9 September]: “A spectator for extended spells, doing the necessary and playing the sweeper role to perfection on one [Mykhailo] Mudryk break. No chance with Zinchenko’s goal.”
Ukraine’s goal came via their only shot on target of the contest, making for a quiet day for Pickford between the sticks.
“Pickford had little to do before Oleksandr Zinchenko’s strike or after, but was beaten by a good finish to end England’s run of five and a half hours without conceding a goal,” Sky Sports wrote [9 September].
Dom Smith commented for the Evening Standard [9 September]: “Out of his goal quickly to ensure Mykhailo Mudryk couldn’t tear away one-on-one in the first half. Had little else to do.”
Annoyed
England’s defence was ripped open for Ukraine’s goal, but it would be harsh to suggest Pickford could have done much more to keep Zinchenko’s shot out.
The Toffees keeper made 20 passes, which for context is nine fewer than he managed in Everton’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield United prior to the international break [WhoScored].
It was one of those games in which Pickford may as well have brought a chair and set up camp in his six-yard box, with no saves to make either side of Ukraine’s goal.
Still, the 29-year-old will be annoyed to have conceded a goal for the first time in four matches for England.
Pickford’s ability to sweep up attacks is always a handy tool to have, and we will next see it up close in an Everton shirt in a week’s time as Arsenal visit Goodison Park on 17 September.
In other Everton news, a first-team player may be on their way out of Goodison Park in January.