Jordan Pickford showed no World Cup hangover as he produced a stunning save in Everton's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, earning praise from manager David Moyes. The goalkeeper returned to Everton less than a fortnight before the Premier League season started after his exploits with England took him deep into the tournament.
Pickford's role in Argentina's late equaliser in the Three Lions' 2-1 semi-final loss became a source of debate thanks to Jude Bellingham's pointed reaction at the time. The 32-year-old showed no signs of a loss of confidence on his competitive return, though, producing a stunning stop to deny Crystal Palace a lead that could have changed the course of events on Saturday.
Key Save Sets Up Victory
Pickford leapt to his left and managed to get his fingertips onto Eddie Nketiah's strike after the attacker found time to pick his spot when he met Adam Wharton's ball over the top. It was one of three golden chances for Palace while the season opener was goalless and a pivotal moment in a game that saw both sides create early chances.
Pickford's brilliance denied the Eagles a perfect start and allowed for another senior talisman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, to put the Blues ahead just before the break. Once Thierno Barry converted Iliman Ndiaye's sublime cross early in the second half, what had been shaping up to be a tricky fixture became a routine win for Moyes' men.
Moyes Praises Pickford's Condition
On Pickford's crucial role in the victory, the Everton manager said after the game: "It was brilliant from Jordan. It really was. I have to say, if I've got any praise for Jordan, it’s the training he's done when he came back, he's looked as sharp as a tack.
“I think he looks lean. I think he's kept himself in good condition, he's got himself ready. I have liked the look of Jordan since he's come back into training after the World Cup."
The save was one of two defining moments delivered by senior players in the first half that built on the positive work of younger players Moyes had to call on, like Harrison Armstrong, Barry, Tyrique George and debutant Hayden Hackney.
Young Squad Steps Up
The Blues boss was delighted with how those senior players stepped up given the absence of others from the squad. He said: "It was good because we've lost a couple at the moment, we've not got Jimmy Garner, we've not got [Christian] Norgaard, so we're playing with a really, really young and inexperienced team. The goalkeeper made a save, which could have made a difference.
“If they score we might have been having to chase the game in a different way, and maybe these younger players aren't ready for that. Once we get the goal, they were able to play with a little bit more comfort."
Pickford's first minutes for Everton in pre-season came in the final friendly of the summer, against Lille, following his run to the end of the World Cup. His heroics were central to the dramatic win over Mexico but Bellingham's reaction to watching Enzo Fernandez's equaliser for Argentina from the edge of the box - he was caught on camera mouthing "it's the middle of the goal" - sparked debate about whether Pickford could have done better.
Pickford's closest rival for his England spot, Dean Henderson, was part of the much-changed side that secured a win in the third-place play-off with France, and was in goal at the other end for Palace as the Blues No.1 saved from Nketiah on Saturday.
