Carlo Ancelotti singled out Jordan Pickford for praise after Everton’s Champions League hopes suffered a blow during a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Monday night, while speaking to the Toffees’ website.
Yes, Pickford gave away the penalty which allowed Jorginho to put the game to bed at Stamford Bridge but, without the in-form England international, a 2-0 defeat would have been a four or five-goal thumping.
Pickford made a series of fine saves at Stamford Bridge, denying Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kante and more while displaying the kind of lightning reflexes that made him the most exciting young goalkeeper in the Premier League not so long ago.
While Everton are four points adrift of Chelsea in the battle for a top-four place, Pickford’s latest stand-out display at least gave Ancelotti something to smile about at full time.
“Of course, we are disappointed with this defeat, we could do better, but no tragedy, we look to the next game. We are disappointed but not too much,” said the Italian, who led Chelsea to the top-flight title a decade ago.
“Jordan did really well, he made good saves. Defensively we had more difficulties in the second half but Jordan was really good.
“The penalty he could have done better but it doesn’t change a good performance from him.”
With the European Championships looming, and with Dean Henderson and Nick Pope staking their claim, Pickford appears to have found some form at the ideal time.
The £30 million shot-stopper was in supreme form during Everton’s 2-0 win at Anfield a fortnight ago and made a last-gasp stop to deny Jannik Vestergaard during the narrow victory over Southampton too.
Then again, he still gifted Chelsea their second goal on Monday with a clumsy challenge on Kai Havertz in the penalty area. And, until he puts those errors behind him, his critics will always have plenty of ammunition.
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