Everton fans were looking forward to potentially securing their third win in a row in the Premier League as Newcastle United came to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening.
However, Everton’s awful performance against Newcastle saw them fall to a 4-1 defeat, with three goals conceded by half-time in a shocking Premier League showing.
Malick Thiaw twice scored with his head, whilst Lewis Miley’s fizzed effort and Nick Woltemade’s deft lob were way too strong for the Toffees, who only grabbed a consolation through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
And it was the performance of Jordan Pickford that left supporters shocked – with England fans questioning whether he should be the starting goalkeeper for this summer’s World Cup.
Supporters have been left shocked by Jordan Pickford’s performance vs Newcastle
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) after the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle, Pickford was the centre of attention for his role in the second and fourth goals for the Magpies.
And, after a strong performance against Manchester United earlier in the week, it was the opposite reaction today for the 81-time England cap.
One fan published: “So Pickford only turns [into] prime Buffon against Man United but couldn’t turn prime Buffon against Newcastle”, whilst another wrote: “Death, taxes and Jordan Pickford being rubbish against Newcastle and Liverpool.”
This has to be one of the saves of the season!
Another fan posted: “Has Jordan Pickford just forgotten how to play football?”, while another claimed: “I swear Pickford is either the ultimate goalkeeper or the laughing stock of the league.”
England fans then had their say, with Pickford still likely to be England’s first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup in the summer – with confidence slightly reduced for the Sunderland-born star.
One fan wrote: “I don’t care about not conceding a goal in the group stages, Pickford is not that great”, while another said: “How is Jordan Pickford still England’s number one keeper?”
A third England supporter added: “If Pickford faced as many shots and attacks for England as he does for Everton, he’d make as many mistakes. Nowhere near good enough to play CL in this country. Looks good for England cos they play crabs until they get to the knockouts of a WC or Euros”, and a final fan wrote: “In any other era Jordan Pickford would be nowhere near the England squad.”
Jordan Pickford’s performance vs Newcastle was just a blip
There is still no doubting that Jordan Pickford is England’s best goalkeeper, and that today was merely a blip in the road.
The Everton stalwart has been consistent throughout the campaign, and he wasn’t helped out by his defence today with catastrophic defending for the second and the third goals which all but put the game out of sight for Newcastle.
Where does Jordan Pickford rank among Premier League goalkeepers?
Other England goalkeepers have suffered a tough time in recent weeks, and with Pickford having played for England in each of their previous four major tournaments, there is no reason – yet – as to why he wouldn’t start.
Gary Neville was quick to praise Pickford for his performance during Everton’s win over Manchester United in midweek and although he’ll have to redeem himself against Bournemouth on Tuesday, it’s likely just a blip in the road.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
