Danny Murphy makes ridiculous Jordan Pickford claim after Everton loss v Aston Villa
Danny Murphy should be embarrassed about his ridiculous Everton claims about Jordan Pickford made live on air.
The Blues recorded their fourth successive loss to begin the Premier League on Saturday [14 September], as they surrendered a two-goal lead for the second consecutive match after goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Jhon Duran sealed the three points for Aston Villa after an Ollie Watkins brace, with a sensational long-range strike past Pickford, but Murphy suggested on talkSPORT [16 September] that the England number one should have stopped it.
He said: “If he did save it you’d say it was a hell of a save but I think some keepers would have got it.”
Murphy even doubled down with his ludicrous comments, suggesting that Pickford is not in the elite category and not at the level to play for a top-four side.
“If you’re looking at Liverpool, Arsenal, [Manchester] City all those types, the big boys that are going to go for the title, you can’t see him in any of their goal.”
Jordan Pickford cannot be solely blamed for poor Everton start
Everton are in serious trouble after the result on the weekend. If they weren’t beforehand, conceding 13 goals in four matches is exactly what is expected from a relegation-threatened side.
Sean Dyche looked lost for ideas on the touchline at Villa Park as the Blues became the second team in Premier League history, alongside Bournemouth, to lose two consecutive matches in which they held a two-goal lead.
A lifeline for the Toffees is that Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to feature this season, and Seamus Coleman has been on and off the treatment table which has left Dyche to resort to starting the likes of Michael Keane, who has been shocking, at centre-back and Ashley Young at full-back.
The defence that only Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal conceded fewer goals than last season has yet to play alongside each other this year, and there will be hope within Goodison Park that the defensive fortunes will change when the strongest lineup is available.
Pickford has been left helpless more often than not this season and when Emi Martinez, a World Cup winner, describes Duran’s strike as “unstoppable” [Birmingham World, 14 September], how can the Blues goalkeeper be expected to make the save?
The 30-year-old has helped England to two European Championship finals and has been the rock for the Everton defence for years. He deserves respect for his accomplishments, not scrutiny, and certainly not blame for his teammates’ shortcomings.
In other Everton news, Michael Keane must be axed for Everton v Southampton.
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