Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has claimed that Newcastle United fans hurled “abuse” at him when Everton played at St James’ Park earlier this month.
Pickford, 25, endured a shocker of an afternoon for the Toffees as they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2.
The England international conceded a penalty in the first-half and was lucky to avoid a sending off before saving Matt Ritchie’s spot-kick.
He continued to have exchanges with the Newcastle fans throughout the game, and now he has admitted that it was something he probably won’t do the next time he plays at St James’ Park.
“With me being a Sunderland lad, in front of 52,000 Newcastle fans hurling abuse at you for the full game . . . too much stuff; it was just all about being a Sunderland fan,” Pickford said, as quoted by the Newcastle Chronicle.
“That sort of language, maybe it did get to me a bit too much. But I’m only 25. It’s a learning curve. Next time I go there, I won’t be getting involved as much. I bounced back with a solid performance against Chelsea. It’s ‘How do I improve for the next game?”
OPINION
Pickford has had quite a shocker of a season for Everton. The 25-year-old was England’s saviour last summer when he helped win a World Cup penalty shoot-out against Colombia. However since then, the ex-Sunderland goalkeeper has been very poor and has made a lot of mistakes that have led to opponents having chances at goal, or even scoring. Pickford got his comeuppance at St James’ Park earlier this month. He riled the crowd and the occasion got to his head. He should have been sent off for the foul on Salomon Rondon in the first-half and after the break he did himself no favours as Everton lost 3-2. It seems that Pickford has kept his spot as England’s number one, but that could soon change if he doesn’t improve soon. There are other English goalkeepers who have had better seasons than him. It is just a shame that Ben Foster has retired from international duty.
