‘SUPER’ PICKFORD THE UNDER-21S’ SAVIOUR
ENGLAND U21 BOSS BOOTHROYD SALUTES PENALTY-SAVING FORMER SUNDERLAND KEEPER
England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd hailed “super” Jordan Pickford after the goalkeeper’s penalty save rescued the Young Lions against Sweden.
The new £30million Everton man kept out Linus Wahlqvist’s late spot-kick as England clung on to a 0-0 Euro 2017 draw against the defending champions.
Ben Chilwell’s reckless tackle on Wahlqvist with 10 minutes left looked like it could condemn England to defeat, but exSunderland star Pickford denied Wahlqvist’s chipped effort and gathered Carlos Strandberg’s follow-up.
And Pickford’s heroics in the opening game of the tournament earned praise from Boothroyd.
He said: “It was disappointing to concede a penalty – I’m not sure it was – but it was given so it was.
“Of course we have our super goalkeeper that keeps penalties out. He did very well.
“Yes we do (practise saving penalties). There’s a lot of statistics and evidence out there about saving penalties, so we try to tap into that as much as we can.
“We’ll look back it and say it’s a defining moment, I hope. It is important when we don’t play well we dig in and make sure we don’t get beaten.
“He has had quite a week. Most people would struggle to deal with what’s happened and have some sort of dip, but touch wood he doesn’t. I thought he was excellent.”
In the other Group A tie, Slovakia rallied from the loss of a first-minute goal to beat hosts Poland 2-1.
Boothroyd added ahead of Monday’s game with Slovakia in Kielce: “We want to qualify for the semi finals and in order to do that we have to win games, but it’s also really important we didn’t lose.”
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, linked with a summer loan switch to Newcastle, twice fired over in the first half, while Chilwell’s deflected drive looped on to the bar after the break, but Pawel Cibicki also hit the woodwork for Euro 2015 winners Sweden.
Swedish boss Hakan Ericson said: “Linus has scored a couple of penalties before. He scored when we beat Croatia in our last game.
“I am very proud to draw against a famous footballing nation such as England. England had a lot of corners, but you expect that because they played a lot of long diagonal balls.
“When we had the ball we were maybe the better team.”
Former Sunderland striker Jon Stead has signed a new contract to stay at League Two club Notts County.
The 34-year-old scored 14 goals last season but was out of contract and considering an offer to play in the USA.
Stead said: “It took me a while to make sure it was the right thing for me and the family, but it definitely is and I can’t wait to get going.
“I want to be here. It’s exciting times – there’s a real buzz about the place.”
Teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has put Europe’s top clubs on high alert after opting not to renew his AC Milan contract. The 18-year-old has impressed since breaking into the team in October 2015.