Picture of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (Credit: Imago).
Zak Anderton
Sun 22 December 2024 16:45, UK
Pat Nevin believes Chelsea would have “100 per cent” been given a penalty against Everton for Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Malo Gusto had he not got the smallest of touches.
The ‘keeper came darting out of his box to stop Gusto from getting a shot off and got the slightest touch of the ball before planting his foot into the leg of the Chelsea right-back in the 34th minute.
The game ended 0-0 with Iliman Ndiaye being the star of the show for the Toffees with most of their attacks going through him in the clash.
Speaking about the Pickford incident on BBC Radio Five Live (22 December, 14:34pm), Nevin shared his thoughts on the challenge from the England number one.
“Pickford just got the tiniest touch on the ball otherwise that is a penalty, 100 per cent,” he said.
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“Chelsea are dominating this game and Everton need to try something to get into it.”
Jordan Pickford was lucky to not be sent off for Everton v Chelsea
Even though Everton managed to come away from Goodison Park with a point to their name, it was one of those games where it could have gone either way and it was good fortune that Pickford didn’t give away a spot-kick.
Throughout most of the clash, Sean Dyche’s men had to be defensively stoic as Enzo Maresca’s men failed to make the most of some presentable opportunities, while Everton will feel they could have nicked it too.
Granted, Chelsea are still second in the Premier League table and have a two-point cushion between themselves and third-placed Arsenal so they’re still well in the race but three points would have taken them to the top of the table, for the moment at least.
This season, Pickford has been one of Everton’s best players and without him, they’d likely be a lot worse off so Dyche will no doubt be counting his lucky stars that his starting goalkeeper wasn’t sent off before the festive season gets fully underway.
Only time will tell if Everton will have enough to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this term but with performances like that, they might well have a chance.
In other Everton news, Merseyside police sent a message out to both sets of supporters prior to the Chelsea clash.
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