Andy Dunn reacts to Everton ‘Gamesmanship’ v Man City – ‘Permanently Animated’
Any Dunn has reacted to the antics of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford prior to his penalty save in their 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Boxing Day.
The Toffees secured another impressive point against the reigning Premier League champions on 26 December with Iliman Ndiaye earning rave reviews for his goal in the clash.
However, the point wouldn’t have been possible without the heroics of Pickford who saved Erling Haaland’s penalty to keep the score level in the second half, with Dunn reacting to his antics prior to the save.
Via the print edition of the Daily Mirror (27 December, pg 57), Dunn admitted: “It is sometimes hard to know whether or not Jordan Pickford is deliberately pulling a funny face. The England ‘keeper is permanently animated.
“But his pre-penalty antics in Everton’s draw at the Etihad had their roots in old-school gamesmanship. Sticking a tongue out at your spot-kick adversary is hardly sophisticated mind games but, then again, nothing too cerebral is needed to distract Erling Haaland nowadays.”
Jordan Pickford provides the heroics for Everton
While Ndiaye will earn his plaudits for his magnificent equalising goal, the importance of Pickford’s penalty save certainly won’t go unnoticed as it was that moment that ultimately earned the Toffees another point against one of the league’s strongest outfits.
The England international has continued to showcase his importance on Merseyside throughout his time at the club and it begs a daunting question to consider where the club would be without him.
Although Man City are enduring a horrid season by their standards, they still have the players to hurt you with flashes of pure quality and Pickford had to be alive to the situation when it arose and thankfully, he was for the penalty.
The save wasn’t the only talking point over the incident, with a sense of controversy when Vitalii Mykolenko didn’t receive his marching orders for the foul that led to the spot kick being awarded.
Sam Matterface and Danny Mills were in disagreement with the incident but thankfully for Everton, the decision became largely irrelevant as the Toffees continued their revival.
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