Fresh footage shows Jordan Pickford gesture that enraged Newcastle fans
Few will have enjoyed Everton's win over Newcastle more than Jordan Pickford, but the goalkeeper clearly angered opposition fans in footage which has come to light since Thursday night's game.
Everton won 3-0 on Thursday, thanks to second-half strikes from Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto. The result lifted Sean Dyche's team out of the bottom three for the first time since they were handed a 10-point deduction, while sending their fans wild.
Pickford was also clearly delighted. The keeper came through the ranks at Newcastle's fierce rivals Sunderland, but an obscene gesture in his goal celebrations - generally interpreted as a 'f*** off', went too far for some members of the travelling fanbase.
In footage shared by The Sun, Newcastle fans are heard complaining as their opponents put the ball in the back of Martin Dubravka's net. One can be heard asking, in vain, "where's the press?" and calling the defensive display a "shambles".
Shortly after, Pickford heads in the direction of the stands and makes the gesture which annoyed some of those in the away end. One supporter picks up on it, telling Pickford it's "the first time you've done that in 10 years".
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Pickford was on Sunderland's books during a period in which they enjoyed a run of wins over Newcastle in the league, and was on the bench for a 1-1 draw in March 2016 as the Black Cats went on to escape the drop at their rivals' expense. His recent record against the Magpies with Everton has been less impressive, though, with the England keeper between the sticks for four straight defeats before Thursday's win.
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Newcastle fans reacted to Pickford's gesture (Twitter)Tempers were frayed after the final whistle, too. Pickford was one of 13 players from the two teams involved in a fracas, with Newcastle's substitute keeper Loris Karius - once of Everton's rivals Liverpool - also playing a part.
Speaking after the match, though, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe played things down. "I've got no idea what it was about - I think it was just emotions running high after the game," the manager said.
Opposite number Dyche was also keen to focus on the match rather than what followed. "Without those 10 points [deducted], we'd be in an amazing position - 20 points would be amazing relatively to the last two seasons here," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We'll see what the appeal brings," Dyche added. "The mentality is key for me, we took a knock but there have been a lot of knocks here over the last couple of years.
"But the team mentality is growing. I can't emphasise it enough, the commitment to each other and the connection is a powerful thing because I know we've got quality."
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