Everton ace Jordan Pickford made a “vital” stop as England booked their place at Euro 2024 with a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley according to Evening Standard journalist Dom Smith.
The sides went into half-time level at 1-1 with Pickford making a big contribution on the stroke of half-time, getting down low and across the goal to save from Tottenham full-back Destiny Udogie after he stepped inside John Stones.
Second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and captain Harry Kane – his second of the night – would officially book Gareth Southgate’s men a spot at the tournament in Germany next summer.
Giving his player ratings in the Standard on Tuesday (17 October), Smith wrote of Pickford: “Jordan Pickford — 6
“Could do nothing about Italy’s opener. Made a vital save to deny Destiny Udogie.”
Pickford has long since been a vital contributor for club and country and it is moments like this one against Italy on Tuesday that prove why he is Gareth Southgate’s undisputed number one.
Forget your Aaron Ramsdales, your Nick Popes, your Sam Johnstones, forget all challengers, because Pickford has been so consistently brilliant for the Three Lions and fully deserves to be in possession of the gloves.
You could argue that Udogie should have done better with the opportunity but Pickford stood up to the task and did his job and ultimately it was a contribution that would help ensure England got the job done against Italy.
It is good news for Everton too, with Pickford sure to take the confidence from that moment into Saturday’s (21 October) huge Merseyside derby against Liverpool. The Reds will be favourites for victory but an in-form Pickford could be a huge factor in helping Everton pull off the upset.
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