Pickford footage 'extreme' as Match of the Day show Everton draw v Man City

Joe Hart praised 'erratic' Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after his performance in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

The Blues secured a great result at the Etihad Stadium (26 December) and the England shot-stopper was on top form once again.

He saved a 53rd-minute penalty from Erling Haaland to ensure that the Toffees stayed on level terms with the defending champions after Iliman Ndiaye's equaliser.

His antics in the build-up to the Norweigian taking the spot kick were bizarre but Hart believes that it is a good thing [Match of the Day, 26 December], saying: "That does look extreme, it looks erratic but that’s what gets him in the best flow, what gets him in the best movement.

"He’s made seven penalty saves for Everton, player of the year the last three years, such consistency.”

Pickford the hero for Everton once again

The Blues are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches and the 30-year-old has been a key factor in that run.

The former Sunderland man kept clean sheets against title-chasers Arsenal and Chelsea and was unlucky to concede to Pep Guardiola's side.

Bernardo Silva's 14th-minute strike took a wicked deflection off of Jarrad Branthwaite meaning that there was nothing that Pickford could do about it.

His water bottle had details of the Citizens' penalty takers and where they would go, as shared by ESPN on X just minutes before the penalty was saved.

That trick has been seen several times when Pickford has been involved in penalty shootouts with England in major tournaments.

He is probably the first name on Sean Dyche's teamsheet, that is his importance to the Blues and if they are to avoid another brutal relegation battle it will be because of the Three Lions number one.

In other Everton news, the Toffees could make another signing from Lyon this winter.

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