Michael Ball calls out Jordan Pickford after what he did in Everton v Leicester City
Michael Ball has picked out Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and James Garner after Everton drew 1-1 with Leicester City on Saturday (21 September).
The Toffees looked set to claim their first three points of the new Premier League campaign, with Iliman Ndiaye opening the scoring after just 12 minutes, but conceded an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.
Stephy Mavididi poked home, helping the Foxes to gain an important point at the King Power Stadium, and taking two points away from the Toffees, who remain in the relegation zone.
Writing via his Liverpool Echo column on Tuesday (24 September), Ball said: “Neville Southall was about the same height as Jordan, but he’d be screaming and shouting: ‘This is my area, I own this, get out of my box, I’m going to dominate.’ I don’t feel that from Jordan.
“It’s like he believes he has to be a shot-stopper. Nobody was standing on him, normally the opposition try and put someone there to block him, but his instinct is to go back.
“He should be anticipating the cross, thinking ‘Can I get it?’ Punch it, catch it, he needs to get something on it to help his teammates, but we didn’t do that and got punished.
“It was a comedy of errors. James Tarkowski and Keane bang into each other while Garner goes down far too easily.”
Everton concede late on as spoils shared v Leicester City
Considering how the Toffees’ season is going so far, it was hardly a surprise to see them concede late on against the Foxes. Fans would have just been glad not to have seen the comeback completed again.
Following back-to-back 3-2 comeback losses to Bournemouth and Aston Villa, it was vital Dyche’s side didn’t lose all three points against Leicester, who are one of the favourites to be relegated.
The Merseyside club are now off the foot of the table, with Wolves slipping to twentieth after their 3-1 loss to Villa, but things need to change as Dyche continues to feel the pressure at Goodison Park.
With the Toffees set to move to Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, they cannot afford to be playing Championship football, so the current form is concerning.
However, Dyche has worked wonders before and he is expected to be given time to turn things around.
In other Everton news, a report has shared if Dan Friedkin will pass Premier League and FA tests after takeover news at Goodison Park.
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