Pickford’s blunder fuels move for Hart
DAVID MOYES did not rule out a sensational swoop for Joe Hart after an unfortunate error from young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Sunderland their first win of the season.
Deputising for the injured Vito Mannone, the 22-year-old had put in an impressive display to shut out Southampton at St Mary’s before allowing Jay Rodriguez to snatch an 85th-minute equaliser when the substitute’s drilled effort squirmed beneath his body and over the line.
Sportsmail revealed yesterday that the struggling Black Cats are keen to take Hart on a season-long loan and Moyes did not deny his interest in the out-of-favour Manchester City keeper.
‘I wouldn’t say if anybody’s in the frame but obviously I’m always going to look for good players,’ said Moyes. ‘We’ll need to bring in another goalkeeper, no doubt. I wouldn’t expect to do that until Tuesday or Wednesday next week.’
Six years and 17 matches have now come and gone with Sunderland failing to register a victory in August. When they last won in the opening month — a 1-0 win over Manchester City in 2010 — Southampton had beaten Bristol Rovers 4-0 to go 14th in League One.
Yesterday the Saints fans gleefully chorused, ‘We’re all going on a European tour,’ eagerly anticipating a trip to the San Siro in October to tackle Inter Milan in the Europa League.
Sunderland haven’t had a great deal to sing about of late but Jermain Defoe looked set to banish their August hoodoo when he slammed in a penalty 10 minutes from time after he was felled by Jose Fonte.
Five minutes later, however, they were pegged back, James Ward-Prowse knocking down for fellow substitute Rodriguez to snatch a fortuitous equaliser.
It was no more than what Claude Puel’s side deserved having dominated swathes of this match but a little harsh on Pickford, who had earlier denied Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Nathan Redmond with a trio of fine saves.
‘He said to me, “Sorry about the mistake”, but I said, “You played really well”,’ added Moyes. ‘He made a couple of really good saves.
‘The real top players who get given an opportunity always make mistakes. What they do then is they grow from it.’
Rodriguez’s goal was his first in the Premier League since March 2014 after a long injury.
He has been linked with a loan move to West Brom and Puel confirmed he would hold talks with the striker this week. SOUTHAMPTON (4-1-2-1): Forster 6; Soares 7, Van Dijk 7, Fonte 6, Targett 7.5; Romeu 5; Hojbjerg 6.5 (Ward-Prowse 82, 6.5min), Davis 6.5; Tadic 6.5 (Long 67, 6.5); Austin 5 (Rodriguez 74, 7), Redmond 5. Subs (not used): McCarthy, Yoshida, Clasie, Bertrand. Booked: Redmond, Davis. SUNDERLAND (4-1-2-1-2): Pickford 6; Manquillo 6, Kone 7, Djilobodji 6.5, Van Aanholt 6; Rodwell 6; Pienaar 6 (Lens 67, 6), Gooch 6.5 (Love 77); Januzaj 5.5; Defoe 5.5, Borini 5.5 (Watmore 64, 6.5). Subs (not used): Stryjek, Khazri, McNair, Asoro. Booked: Pienaar, Rodwell. Referee: Lee Mason, 7. Attendance: 30,152.