Sunderland 1-1 Everton: James Copley reacts to VAR controversy
Jordan Pickford delivered an emotional message to Sunderland fans after his Stadium of Light return
It was the England No 1’s first appearance back at the ground in a competitive match since leaving Wearside in 2017 – and the reaction from the home crowd was warm, loud and unmistakably proud. Pickford, a boyhood Sunderland supporter raised in the South West Corner, was applauded by all four stands as he made his way towards the Roker End before kick-off.
On the pitch, Everton and Sunderland played out an entertaining contest, with Granit Xhaka’s goal cancelling out the visitors’ opener to extend Sunderland’s unbeaten home run. Off the pitch, the occasion carried even more weight, as Pickford admitted he had hoped – and prayed – for a positive reception from supporters of the club he grew up idolising.
After the match, he spoke to Sunderland reporters about the draw, the emotion of coming home, and the surreal transformation that has taken place on Wearside under Régis Le Bris. Here is the Q&A in full...
Q: Was that 1–1 draw maybe a good result for the Pickford household?
Pickford: “Yeah, I think it keeps it sane. I've not spoken to my family yet. I'm a footballer for Everton Football Club. I'm a Sunderland fan. We're here to win the game. Looking at it all, I think it's probably a fair result. I think we had chances in the first 30 minutes. We came out and got the Sunderland goal.
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“Then it was about who's going to get the opportunity to win. I think towards the end, we probably had a couple of chances where I thought we could have gone our way. Looking at it, we'll do a debriefing for the manager and the staff. There'll be a lot of areas to improve, and there's a lot of good bits. But it's about doing a sustained effort for the full 90 plus minutes. I'm a Sunderland fan myself.”
Q: Talk me through that reception from the Roker End – that must be pretty special. It’s what you grew up wanting, isn't it?
Pickford: “Yeah, I was praying I got a good reception. I got one, and I think the Sunderland fans and Everton fans know how passionate I am as a player and as a lad. I grew up watching Sunderland come in the crazy corner, going to games. I gave that passion when I played for Sunderland. I've been at Everton for nine seasons and I think I've got a great relationship with both sets of fans. That's just what type of lad I am, and I'll never change who I am.”
Q: Can you believe what’s happened at Sunderland? For us, the rise has been so quick – the spending, Granit Xhaka, the transformation… it all feels surreal.
Pickford: “Nah, that's football. We talked about the play-off final. Pato made that worldie early on in the final. Sunderland might not be here if it wasn't for Patto and Tommy Watson. That's a game of football. Anything can happen in 90 minutes, and the club's invested well. Obviously, I follow them as well still. The club's invested well with players, and it's great to see, but we need to be performing for Everton as well.”
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