Jordan Pickford reveals how he predicted Anthony Gordon penalty hours before Newcastle United miss
Everton stopper Jordan Pickford has revealed how he knew England team-mate Anthony Gordon was going to put his penalty to the goalkeeper's left on Saturday evening. The Newcastle United star indeed choose that side of the goal as he saw his spot-kick saved midway through the first-half as the visiting side struggled to a 0-0 draw on Merseyside.
Gordon made no mistake from 12 yards just last week, sending Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to wrong way after winning the penalty himself. That, it appears, gave Pickford the confirmation that this time around the winger would opt to 'double bluff' him, by choosing the opposite corner.
And, speaking to Sky Sports after the stalemate, England's main man in between the sticks explained how he had told a member of the Everton coaching staff of his prediction hours before the Saturday evening kick-off on Merseyside.
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"I watched the game last week and and he reversed it against Ederson and the one before he went the same way so I fancied him going keepers left, so I told Ross [Morrison, Everton performance analyst] today that I'm going to go keeper's left which I did," Pickford said.
"It hit me off my knee. I don't think Anth executed it to perfection and he'll be disappointed but I'm there to make the save and that's what I did. It's like trying to double bluff each other and I have got the better of him tonight, It was a big moment and I am pleased it helped us get the draw.
"I back myself on penalties and it is the first I have saved for Everton for a while. It is a point and a clean sheet and we build on that."
Pickford was subject to the usual hostile reception from the travelling fans on their final league trip to Goodison but had the last laugh as he exited the pitch at full-time having kept the Magpies out all evening.
"I think we know playing against Newcastle is going to be tough," Pickford added. "The intensity is high. We weren't at our best but we were resilient and we had to dig in. We want three points but to not lose the game is great and our first clean sheet on the board."