David Moyes ‘annoyed at Pickford’ after what he did in Everton draw v Man United
Everton throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw with Manchester United on Saturday will have left David Moyes with plenty to be annoyed about.
Everton were well worth their two-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes of a one-sided clash at Goodison Park, only for Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick to spark the Red Devils back into life.
Manuel Ugarte’s half-volley just eight minutes after his captain’s strike completed the comeback in the final Everton-Manchester United match at Goodison, leaving the hosts scrambling to try and win it.
Although Everton re-established control of the match and were denied a late penalty which could have sealed the points, Moyes will still look back on that Fernandes free-kick as the sliding doors moment.
Pickford ‘muck around’ spotted in Everton v Man United
Fernandes’ free-kick not only kick-started Manchester United into life at Goodison on Saturday, but it also saw him beat Jordan Pickford far too easily given the distance and the angle his shot came from.
Speaking on talkSPORT (24 February, 4:15pm), Darren Bent highlighted Pickford’s poor concentration level and positioning after being beaten on his own side, as Everton’s control over the game collapsed.
Bent said: “I think the performance from Everton was brilliant, generally.
“What will annoy David Moyes is that there was a moment Jordan Pickford started to muck around a little bit, lose his concentration a bit and have a laugh and a joke a bit, and that’s where the tied turned.
“The goal from Fernandes, a lovely free-kick, but Everton’s wall is about six foot eight. Trust the wall and worry about your side – don’t make it easy for him. That was poor.”
Everton can’t afford Jordan Pickford’s form to fall off
Pickford has been Everton‘s most dependable player across recent seasons, the last line of an often porous defence to keep the Blues in many Premier League games they were otherwise outmatched in.
In the last three respective seasons (including this one), Pickford has kept eight, 13, and nine clean sheets; on track to finish second in the Premier League Golden Glove race for the second straight year.
| Season | Premier League appearances | Clean Sheets |
| 2017/18 | 38 | 10 |
| 2018/19 | 38 | 14 |
| 2019/20 | 38 | 9 |
| 2020/21 | 31 | 10 |
| 2021/22 | 35 | 7 |
| 2022/23 | 37 | 8 |
| 2023/24 | 38 | 13 |
| 2024/25 (ongoing) | 26 | 9 |
Although Everton fought relegation in the face of two points deductions throughout the entirety of last season, the Blues’ backline shipped just 51 goals, the fourth-best in the division with 13 shutouts.
This term, Pickford has seen 33 goals fly past him, the joint-fifth lowest in the Premier League, yet it’s arguable he’s been at fault in some heavy defeats, including against Tottenham earlier in the season.
United’s first goal on Saturday provides another example of Pickford being beaten too easily, and that’s something he needs to cut out as soon as possible if Everton are to continue their strong run of form.