Everton’s misfiring strikers Thierno Barry and Beto have received a message from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has issued a message to Everton’s misfiring strikers ahead of Saturday’s home game with Fulham. The England number one and his team-mates were denied a victory at his former club Sunderland on Monday night.
A deflected Granit Xhaka equaliser ensured honours ended 1-1 after David Moyes’ men squandered several opportunities to extend their early lead provided by Iliman Ndiaye’s wonder strike. The misses included an inviting chance at the back post that Thierno Barry fired over the bar from a cross by Jack Grealish, who himself struck the upright with a shot.
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Asked what Barry, who is yet to break his scoring duck since his £27m move from Villarreal, and Beto, who hasn’t netted since heading in during the 3-2 win at Wolves on August 30 need to do, Pickford said: “It’s one of those. You’ve got to keep working as a unit and individually to improve. It’s not clicked yet but that’s football sometimes.
“Next week it could be ‘bang’ and then you come out with a hat-trick, you never know. It’s about working hard on the training pitch every day, which they both do, and if you keep working then you’ll get your opportunities and if you take them then the story is different.”
The 31-year-old admitted it was frustrating not to emerge from his Wearside return with three points though.
Pickford was playing at the Stadium of Light for the first time since his £25m transfer to the Blues in 2017.
And he said: “It was a great opportunity to come back and play for Everton in front of my boyhood club. I’ve grew up from the age of eight playing for Sunderland’s academy and Everton gave me the opportunity to progress.
“Both clubs have got a great connection, but it was disappointing not to come away with the three points.
“I thought we played really well for 30 minutes and then they got back into it, and got a lot of momentum. Football swings you know, you feel good for a minute, then you feel under pressure the next.
“We probed, created a couple of chances and Jack hit the post and Barry has missed the chance at the back post. So, we’ve created the chances and that happens.
“Ideally, I want the clean sheet, but then they come out for the second half, get a deflection and it’s 1-1. Then the atmosphere goes up and we ride the storm, but probably could have got something at the end as well.”
Pickford added: “I’m a footballer for Everton Football Club, I’m a Sunderland fan, and we were here to win the game, but looking at it overall, a draw was probably a fair result.
“I was praying that I’d get a good reception, and I got one. Sunderland fans and Everton fans know how passionate I am as a player and as a lad.
“I grew up as a Sunderland fan in the crazy corner watching 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.”
With the Washington-born star’s parents still living in the area, the share of the spoils at least helped keep the piece among his extended family and friends after a night when his eldest child took to the field as a mascot, wearing a bespoke half and half Everton/Sunderland shirt. Pickford said: “As a kid, you live and breathe football growing up. I’m thankful that I’ve got the opportunities to do what I’m doing and to share those moments with my son and when you’ve retired, you’ll always look back on them.
“My son loves football, he loves Sunderland and he loves Everton. It’s great memories with him and that’s what being a dad is.”