Everton: BBC Sport pundit blown away by what ‘incredible’ Jordan Pickford did v Nottingham Forest
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford blew Paul Robinson away with an “incredible” save to deny Chris Wood in the Toffees’ clash with Nottingham Forest.
Sean Dyche’s side took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a 2-0 win over Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday (21 April) thanks to goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil.
While the Three Lions keeper had a couple of shaky moments with the ball at his feet during the first half, BBC Sport pundit Robinson was left shocked by the 30-year-old’s “brilliant” stop to deny Wood from close range.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday (21 April, 14:10) he said: “That’s a brilliant save, it really is. It’s such a good save from the England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
“The volley comes in from the back post, it’s hit into the ground and not hitting the target so the England goalkeeper’s completely out of position. Chris Wood’s at the far post, Jordan Pickford scrambles across his goal, gets himself set and makes a fantastic block.
“That is a fantastic save by Jordan Pickford and he gets up and celebrates with his fans like it was a goal. It was an incredible save by the England goalkeeper.”
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saves Sean Dyche from sack and relegation
Pickford has had his critics in recent weeks and deservedly so. The England stopper was awful against Chelsea last time out as he handed Cole Palmer his hattrick, but he more than made up for those errors on Sunday.
The stop to deny Wood from close range was absolutely ridiculous. The 30-year-old had no right to deal with that effort that well as he was caught out of position by an incredibly poor strike from Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
Dyche’s side are well and truly in a fight for relegation now and they need every point they can get to avoid the drop. Whether supporters like it or not, Pickford could be the deciding factor in the battle at the bottom of the table.
Hopefully, Sunday was a sign that the England keeper has rediscovered his form ahead of the final weeks of the season. If he keeps pulling off those sorts of saves, Everton could be safe and Dyche may just dodge the sack.
In other Everton news, Ashley Young could be set to be handed a new contract at Goodison following new injury developments
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.