Jordan Pickford playing for Everton with David Moyes looking perplexed
(Credit: Imago)
Josh Edwards
Mon 18 August 2025 23:00, UK
David Moyes was less than impressed with Jordan Pickford as Everton fell to an opening-day defeat to Leeds United.
All of the optimism that had been building after a solid end to the last campaign was subdued by Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds at Elland Road.
The Toffees failed to pose any threat and couldn’t assume any control of the game, especially in the early stages.
Leeds secured all three points with a controversial penalty decision, though it was an incident in the build-up to the goal that left Moyes frustrated.
David Moyes shouting at Everton
Moyes will be furious with his team’s performance (Credit: Imago)
Jamie Carragher shares Moyes reaction to Pickford
Jordan Pickford was far from the one to blame for Everton’s defeat to Leeds, but he certainly played a part in the way that it happened.
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It was his pass to Idrissa Gueye that started the move that ended in a penalty for Leeds, with James Tarkowski adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
The Scotsman will be frustrated at that decision alone, but Jamie Carragher noted the reaction from the Scotsman when Pickford started the move.
Everton’s stats vs Leeds
1 shot on target
0.55 xG
79% pass accuracy
21 shots faced
Speaking via Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, he said: “A couple of minutes before this penalty happened, Pickford had a goal kick, I think, and he played it wide to the left back, and I could see David Moyes’ reaction. I think it was Gueye; he put him in a little bit of trouble.
“You can see he’s frustrated with Jordan Pickford. Yes, it’s a mistake in midfield and a slip, but he doesn’t want Jordan Pickford playing this ball in midfield.”
Footage of Moyes reacting angrily towards Pickford was then showed to back up Carragher’s point.
"I think it is"
"I think it's definitely a penalty"@Carra23 and @GNev2 are in agreement that it was the correct decision to award Leeds a penalty ✅ pic.twitter.com/dTPC3dGBd8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2025
Everton have some major concerns to attend to
Pickford’s decision may have been a poor one, but that will not even emerge on a list of the top three things that Everton should be concerned about.
They looked lost against a Leeds side that only had three new arrivals playing in a squad that previously featured in the Championship.
Leeds dominated the game and forced the Toffees into countless errors, and that is something Moyes needs to address.
Everton lacked quality going forward, and they will be hanging a lot of hope on Jack Grealish to rectify that, unless some major reinforcements are brought in in the next 13 days.
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