Maddison told to "learn his lesson" by Pickford as penalty gaffe costs Foxes

01 May 2023 , 21:51

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Jordan Pickford helped Everton secure a point at Leicester

Jordan Pickford mocked England team-mate James Maddison after saving penalty, calling on the Leicester man to "learn his lesson".

The Everton goalkeeper produced a crucial save in first-half stoppage time to deny Maddison from the spot with the shotstopper opting to stay in the middle, which proved an inspired decision. The save would also earn the Toffees a point as Alex Iwobi bagged a second-half equaliser.

Maddison has been a standout performer for the Foxes, producing a classy assist for Jamie Vardy, who put Leicester 2-1 up. However his blunder from the penalty spot could prove crucial with Pickford's penalty homework paying of as he pocked fun at the playmaker.

He told Sky Sports : “Madders needs to learn his lesson - don’t play poker, by the sounds of it. No, I do my homework, I called it this morning, the way I was going to go, but he’s a good player and I think he’ll expect me to make movement.

“He’s got a great delivery, if he whips it or opens up I think he’ll expect me to dive to I double bluffed him and got one up on him. It was a big moment in the game and I’m quite happy I saved it because that’s what I’m there to do - try and help the team. Sometimes they make mistakes, sometimes it’s harsh - the penalty - but I’ll try my best to get them out of trouble.”

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Leicester boss Dean Smith said Maddison was the team's designated penalty taker, but cast doubt over whether he would keep hold of such duties as he claimed "we'll see" when quizzed over who would take their next spot kick.

James Maddison was denied from 12 yards

Jordan Pickford's water bottle

Everton remain without a win in seven games, but picked up a crucial point to keep themselves within touching distance of safety. The draw, Leicester's second in a week, moves them Leeds and Nottingham Forest into 16th spot.

Pickford's water bottle was wrapped in images that detailed where Leicester's possible penalty takers were likely to go, which the Sky Sports camera later picked up. The Everton goalkeeper joked: “The camera was good then, ey?”

Everton now face back-to-back games against top-half sides in Brighton and Manchester City. The Seagulls can record their highest ever top flight finish if they enjoy a promising end to the campaign and stuck six past Wolves last time out. City meanwhile are chasing a third straight league title.

Pickford added on their draw at the King Power: "We're both fighting, both down there and there's a bit of anxiety on the pitch. We got the first goal, which was nice and I thought we played a brilliant 20 minutes and did what the gaffer wants, then we dropped off. It's a point and we don't come away from Leicester with zero. We know we're still in the bottom three and it's very tight down there. We roll our sleeves up and keep working hard with a fighting spirit."

Samuel Meade