Another standout performance from the Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford so should he keep his place when Mannone returns to full fitness?
Tottenham Hotspur earned a 1-0 victory over Sunderland with a second-half strike from Harry Kane, but it could have been much worse for David Moyes’ side had goalkeeper Jordan Pickford not made a number of stunning saves – including one splendid fingertip stop from Erik Lamela – to deny Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
He told Sky Sports: “That’s what I’m there to do really, make some saves but it’s not ideal to make too many saves really but that’s my job and unfortunately we conceded one.
“Unfortunately, Vito [Mannone] got injured but that’s what I’m here to do and be a good back-up and hopefully capitalise and keep working hard.”
Much has been said regarding the start Sunderland have had with no wins to their name as of yet, although the 22-year-old has been a bright spark who has filled the gloves of Vito Mannone after being sidelined for three months.
Manager David Moyes has said he wants to build something at the Stadium of Light, possibly replicating his heroics at Everton where he transformed the Toffees from flirting with relegation to a top seven club in the Premier League.
Pickford could be the starting block for Moyes; a local boy who grew up in Washington as well as coming up through the youth ranks at the Black Cats, he is certainly a player who knows the club.
For some time there has been a lack of consistency at the club with constant changes throughout from the boardroom to managers to players, although the England under-21 international understands the demands for playing Sunderland and given his performances Moyes needs to give him the chance he deserves.
Given his start to the season there is strong evidence that he deserves to start regularly even when Mannone returns, and if he continues to excel it could, in time, be the making of a new Sunderland legend.
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