Jamie Carragher slams Everton for mocking former player Anthony Gordon on social media

Jamie Carragher slams Everton for mocking former player Anthony Gordon on social media after having his penalty saved by Jordan Pickford.

The morning after the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, Everton uploaded a video of Gordon’s spot kick being saved, adding a buzzer sound for effect, clearly intended to mock him.

It caught the attention of Jamie Carragher who expressed his disapproval, highlighting Gordon’s contributions to Everton, including helping them avoid relegation from the Premier League, his local lad status having come through Everton’s academy, and the fact that Everton sold him for £40 million.
Carragher’s critique was not just about the act of mocking but seemed to reflect on Everton’s management and fanbase’s behaviour towards a player who, in his view, deserved better treatment given his history with the club.

Gordon’s move from Everton to Newcastle was contentious, forcing a transfer by not attending training, which soured his relationship with the club and its fans.
Everton’s statement on his departure was notably cold, omitting the usual thanks or best wishes, which set the tone for ongoing animosity.

While Carragher’s views were strong, there was a split in opinion among football fans and commentators, some arguing that in the modern football landscape, such banter is part of the game, especially given the circumstances of Gordon’s departure.
Others, like Carragher, felt it was in poor taste, especially since Gordon had been a local product with significant contributions to Everton.

This incident not only highlights the often raw emotions in football, especially between clubs and players whose departures are acrimonious, but also reflects on the modern use of social media in football culture where clubs engage directly with fans through humour, satire, or in this case, mockery.
Everton fans created a hostile reception, booing and jeering, but Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was pleased with how Gordon responded, he said: “Naturally he will be disappointed but a much better performance from him today than here last year, I thought he dealt with the occasion well.

“I thought he handled that disappointment really well as I know from personal experience, not missing a penalty but making a mistake, the moment goes against you and plays on your mind. It can affect you negatively.
He really learned from last season’s game and international experience. There was a lot of pressure on him on that moment.

“He has been an outstanding penalty taker so I have no issues with him taking it or taking them in the future.

“Anyone can miss a penalty. We absolutely support him and he’s been incredible for us and tactically he gave them a problem.”
Pickford said, with it his first penalty save since keeping out James Maddison’s spot kick for Leicester in May 2023: “You try to double-bluff each other and I’ve got the better of him tonight, and I’m pleased as it was a big moment in the game and managed to get us a draw.

“I don’t think Ant executed it to perfection and he’ll be disappointed, but I’m there to make the save and that’s what I’ve done.

“I back myself in pens and I think it is the first time I’ve saved one in a while.”

This was also Pickford’s first penalty he had saved in nine attempts.
Everton’s Sean Dyche praised Pickford’s professionalism: “He’s had a fair share of question marks this season – we all have,” he said after a taking a fifth point from three matches.

“Part of the resilience of being a top footballer is about dealing with that and seeing it through and staying resolute to what you do.

“He is a very good professional and showed that with his performance today.”

Dyche wasn’t happy with a penalty not being awarded to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with VAR ruling he had kicked the back of Dan Burn and not the other way around.