Jordan Pickford reveals how he KNEW where Newcastle star Anthony Gordon was putting his penalty, after Everton keeper produced stunning save to deny former team-mate from the spot
- Anthony Gordon’s penalty was saved as Everton drew 0-0 with Newcastle
- Jordan Pickford says he knew where his former teammate would put him
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Jordan Pickford has revealed how he knew where Anthony Gordon would place his penalty in Everton’s standoff with Newcastle.
The Magpies were awarded a penalty for the second week in a row when James Tarkowski dragged Sando Tonali into the penalty area after half an hour.
Gordon stepped up to collect the ball in Alexander Isak’s absence but saw his effort saved by former Toffees teammate Pickford, who dived to his left.
The England international goalkeeper says he knew where Gordon would place the penalty as soon as it was awarded.
‘I saw the game last week and he turned it around against Ederson and the game before went the same way so I had a feeling he was going to go to goalkeeper-left, so I told Ross today that I was going to go to goalkeeper-left , which I did’ Pickford told Sky Sports
“(It) hit me off my knee. I don’t think Ant executed it perfectly and he’ll be disappointed, but I’m there to save the day and that’s what I did.”
Anthony Gordon’s first-half penalty was saved as Everton drew 0–0 with Newcastle
Jordan Pickford says he knew where his former Toffees teammate would place him
Asked if it helps playing against a former teammate, he added: ‘Not really, try to double bluff each other and I got the better of him tonight.
“Happy because it’s a big moment in the game and it kept us at a draw and we can move on.
Pickford and Gordon were talking shortly after the end of the match and the former revealed what they were talking about.
“He just asked me why I went that way and I just said you went right the last two times so I thought you were going left, which I did,” Pickford said.
“I’m backing myself on pins and I think this is my first one for Everton in a while. It’s nice, it’s a clean slate and we’re building on that.’
Pickford and Gordon were chatting at Goodison Park shortly after the match
The draw at Goodison Park has kept Everton out of relegation, with Sean Dyche’s side two points clear of 18th-placed Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have missed a chance to get into the top four after a second straight draw.