Jordan Pickford ‘Crucial’ verdict shared after what happened in West Ham United v Everton
Patric Ridge believes Jordan Pickford was “crucial” in Everton’s 0-0 draw against West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
The sides shared the spoils but if it wasn’t for Pickford’s save in the 93rd minute from a Danny Ings strike, the Toffees would have been returning to Merseyside with nothing to show for their efforts.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside (11 November), Opta deputy editor Ridge shared his thoughts on the performance of the Englishman.
“He [Pickford] was crucial at the end of the day, he said.
“I think it was the most nil-nil of all nil-nils on Saturday but that moment of quality [Pickford saving Ings’ shot] did prove vital and kept the clean sheet.
“Pickford has provided that in many instances before he didn’t have the best start to the season but I think that save from Anthony Gordon at the start of October, he’s really stepped up and it’s maybe just one of those moments that will help boost his confidence”.
Jordan Pickford is key to the Premier League survival of Everton
Everton may not have had the best of starts to the 2024/25 season but that hasn’t stopped them from trying to claw their way out of another Premier League relegation battle.
The last few seasons have been difficult for the Toffees but Pickford has often been dubbed as their best player in recent seasons, even if there have been times where he hasn’t been 100 per cent.
While other members of the Merseyside outfit’s squad will undoubtedly have a say in the club remaining in the top flight, without England’s number one within their ranks, they’d be far worse off.
Pickford has been Everton’s number one for some time now and has more than cemented his role within the team.
The former Sunderland man hasn’t always been up to his best this term but the 93rd-minute save he pulled off against West Ham on 9 November proved how vital he still is.
As long as the ‘keeper can continue performing like he did against West Ham each week, it’s hard to see how Everton won’t start making their way up the table and out of 16th place.
In other Everton news, a claim has been made about Jarrad Branthwaite going to the 2026 World Cup.
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