Gary Lineker and Joe Hart fully agree ‘underrated’ Everton player does not get the credit he deserves

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Everton’s impressive run of form continued on Boxing Day with a late Christmas present for their travelling fans at the Etihad Stadium.

The 2024/25 campaign has not been what Everton fans would have hoped for as they remain around the wrong end of the table.

But with The Friedkin Group now holding the keys to the club, there are signs beginning to show of a brighter future at Goodison Park.

Although Sean Dyche’s have been unable to turn their last three results into victories, three consecutive draws against some of the top sides in the league cannot go unnoticed.

Iliman Ndiaye played a huge role in securing a point against Manchester City on Thursday with his stunning goal inside the first half.

However, there was another Everton player whose performances over recent years are now said to have gone under the radar.

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Gary Lineker and Joe Hart agree Everton’s Jordan Pickford is underrated

Jordan Pickford put Erling Haaland off to miss his penalty on Thursday which would have given Man City their lead back.

The England number one has been a constant in the Everton side which has just managed to salvage their Premier League status over recent years.

And speaking on Match of the Day on Boxing Day, Gary Lineker and Joe Hart both agreed on how good Pickford has been in a struggling Everton side.

“I wonder whether he gets, perhaps, the respect he deserves as a goalkeeper, I think he’s slightly underrated because he’s remarkably consistent,” said Lineker.

“Yeah, I’d actually, I’d really agree with you there, Gary,” replied Hart.

“I think because he’s not just your your modern day goalkeeper who walks out onto the pitch exudes confidence and calmness. That’s not necessarily the only way to do it. I think Jordan’s a great example of it.”

“You know, Everton, there’s no getting away from it, they barely score a goal, so they need to really rely on a strong back line.”

Pickford may have escaped a red card against Chelsea with his flying challenge to defend a shot on goal over the weekend.

But he certainly made up for any concerns over the challenge with his fine display against the reigning champions.

• READ MORE: The extent of Iliman Ndiaye’s calf injury shared ahead of Everton vs Nottingham Forest

What Jordan Pickford said after Man City draw

This is not the first time this season that the 30-year-old has been on the receiving end of praise with Alan Shearer and Lineker both hailing Pickford just a matter of weeks ago.

But he was instrumental once again – alongside Ndiaye – during the draw against Pep Guardiola’s side on Boxing Day.

Following the game, Pickford took to Instagram to share a message to the fans as he was left delighted to take a point back to Merseyside.

‘Rolling with the punches on Boxing Day. A point away from home against the Champions,’ he said on his Instagram.

Pickford wowed Arsenal fans earlier this month with some of the saves he was able to pull off at the Emirates.

And it seems as if he was able to put in a similarly strong display against the side which has dominated the league for years now.