Jordan Pickford Saves Penalty, Keeps Everton’s Clean Sheet

Jordan Pickford was honored during Saturday’s Premier League match at Goodison Park as the Everton goalkeeper showcased his skills in a goalless draw against Newcastle. Before kickoff, fans displayed a large banner celebrating Pickford as their number one, a sentiment echoed throughout the match. Pickford proved his worth by saving a crucial penalty from former teammate Anthony Gordon, preserving Everton’s first clean sheet of the season.

“I back myself on penalties; it’s the first I’ve saved for Everton in a while,” Jordan Pickford told Sky Sports expressing pride in earning a point for his team. His save was particularly poignant, recalling his previous penalty stop against James Maddison that helped keep Everton in the Premier League two seasons ago. This time, he relied on recent memory having observed Gordon convert a penalty against Manchester City last week.

Gordon attempted to mislead Pickford by suggesting he would shoot to the left but ultimately found his shot saved low to Pickford’s left. The save ignited wild celebrations among Everton supporters, who chanted “England’s number one” in response. Pickford relished the moment, especially given the jeers he faced from Newcastle fans throughout the match.

Everton manager Sean Dyche praised Pickford’s resilience, noting that top players must rise above scrutiny. Conversely, Gordon faced a challenging return to Goodison Park after leaving Everton for Newcastle for £45 million last January. Despite the taunts from the crowd, manager Eddie Howe commended Gordon’s composure and insisted that missing a penalty is part of a player’s growth.

Gordon’s missed penalty and a missed chance to win the game left him frustrated but Howe expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back.