Southampton v Everton: 5 takeaways as Away Day Blues Strike Again

Numerous saves by England’s number one keeps it respectful for Everton

3. Pickford keeps the score down

The only player to really improve his standing despite the poor defeat at Southampton was the goalkeeper Jordon Pickford.

The Saints had eleven shots on goal on Saturday, which means Pickford made nine saves at St Mary’s. In the first half Pickford had a couple of decent efforts to keep out and keep Everton level at the break.

However in the second half it was an avalanche of efforts that Pickford had to deal with. All together Southampton mustered twenty shots on goal. You can compare this to a week ago when Pickford had no Leeds shots on target to deal with at all!

Credit to the England international for some great saves including one to deny Walker-Peters at his near post. As Everton’s defensive shape crumbled Pickford couldn’t believe the space afforded to the Saints wide players especially.

If Everton can somehow get some defensive cohesion then Pickford can produce saves that actually matter like he did at Chelsea for example just before Christmas. He was too exposed to be able to cover the near post entirely for Armstrong’s first goal and Long’s second was too close for Pickford to save.

It is noticeable that those nine saves Pickford made yesterday were in the first 75 minutes to show how much he was exposed at Southampton.

Unfortunately for Pickford the next game means he will be equally if not more busy as the champions Manchester City come to Goodison Park.

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