PICK OF TOFFEES BUNCH
NEWCASTLE 1 EVERTON 2 England No.1 keeps his cool as new boss’s plans bring long-awaited success
NO fatal distractions for Jordan Pickford on this occasion.
Back in March, the Everton and England No.1 and former Sunderland keeper was booed and baited for 90 minutes by the Toon Army.
Being a national hero means nothing in these parts when you’re born and bred in enemy territory.
And for a man who’d kept his cool in the pressure cooker atmosphere of a World Cup campaign nine months earlier, it all proved too much.
Forgettable
On a forgettable afternoon for the dyed-in-the-wool Mackem, Pickford conceded a penalty and was fortunate not to be sent off early on for a blatant foul on Salomon Rondon. And then in the second half, he was culpable as Everton threw away a two-goal cushion to lose 3-2.
By his own admission, had he concentrated on his own game rather than rise to the bait, the result may have been different.
Contrast his antics back then to the focused figure in all-yellow yesterday, a man who shut out the taunts and provocation to produce a performance worthy of his current status.
Last season, he stuck out his tongue to the baying masses and even appeared to offer to meet one of his verbal assailants “outside” as he headed for the tunnel on the final whistle.
What a difference here. Pickford showed no reaction when Dominic Calvert-lewin fired Everton into an early lead.
He stood motionless for a few moments before heading to the side of his goal and taking a sip of water without making eye contact with those screaming at him. And it was the same sober response when Calvert-lewin restored their lead after Fabian Schar had equalised.
Of course, when it comes to poise, panache and an exterior which betrays few emotions, newly-appointed Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has few peers.
While Steve Bruce kicked every ball and cursed every decision which went against his team, five yards away the Italian, smartly dressed in a tailored winter overcoat (right, with
Pickford), chewed gum and largely kept his own counsel.
Footsteps
He becomes only the third Everton manager in the modern era to kick off with back-to-back wins following in the footsteps of Joe Royle in 1994 and David Moyes eight years later.
Perhaps it’s asking too much for him to emulate his Chelsea achievement in winning his opening six games in charge.
But his 50th Premier League win will have given him as much satisfaction as any of his previous 49 did. On the pitch, Ancelotti’s keeper certainly enjoyed himself a lot more than he did in the corresponding fixture last term.
On 38 minutes, during a spell of sustained Magpies’ pressure, Pickford demonstrated just why he’s so rated as a shot-stopper, brilliantly keeping out a Schar blockbuster.
And on the turnaround, with the Newcastle fans raucously reminding Pickford just how bad his boyhood club are right now, he refused to bite.
With Andy Carroll a constant menace, the 25-year-old dealt confidently with the high ball, proving as immune to aerial as aural intimidation.
Only when he celebrated with his victorious team-mates in front of the Everton fans afterwards did Pickford allow himself to break into a smile.
You half expected him to pull out a pair of earplugs as he headed off.