Pickford suffers comical own goal as keeper has nightmare vs Sheffield Utd

02 September 2023 , 12:31

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Jordan Pickford's own goal put Sheffield United 2-1 up (Image: TNT Sports)

Everton's Jordan Pickford was left red-faced after his own goal put Sheffield United ahead against Everton before producing a sensational double save to earn his side a point.

The Toffees had led early on but trailed going into the break after Cameron Archer's effort cannoned off the post before hitting Pickford in the back and going into the net. The Blades star had already beaten Pickford with a cool finish to level the scores in Yorkshire.

His curling effort then looked set to put the hosts in front, but it came off the post, only to hit Pickford on the back as he'd dived to stop the initial effort. The goalkeeper's face was telling, knowing full well he could've done nothing to prevent Sheffield United taking the lead.

Arnaut Danjuma draw the Merseysiders level early in the first-half as he tapped home at the back post. Pickford though proved to be the hero late in stoppage time as he produced a stunning double save from Blades' forward Oll McBurnie.

Pickford and Everton needed a win on the final day last term to avoid the drop having become regular relegation battlers in recent seasons. The England No 1 will need to be among his side's top performers if they are to retain their top flight status.

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The 29-year-old shot-stopper saw the vice-captaincy taken off him in the summer with Dyche preferring to have an out-field player don the armband. The goalkeeper accepted the decision and vowed to continue being a vocal presence.

The goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Sheffield United's second goal

He said: “I was vice-captain last year under the previous manager. Then the Gaffer kept that when he came into the job. He pulled me in [this summer] and said he wants an outfield player to be a captain. First and foremost, Seamus is the full captain. But he said he wanted to have an outfield captain as the vice.

“I said, 'You’re the manager', and told him that’s okay. I will still be Jordan Pickford out on the pitch. You need more than one leader out on the pitch, I can do my job as leading. I will still be the same Jordan Pickford whether I have got the armband or not.”

Samuel Meade