Pickford’s Crucial Penalty Save

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford delivered a crucial penalty save, his first in almost 18 months, to deny Anthony Gordon a triumphant return to Goodison Park with Newcastle. The dramatic save came during a goalless draw that saw Gordon, who left Everton under contentious circumstances in January 2023, booed throughout the match by the home crowd. His chance to silence his critics arrived ten minutes before halftime, but Pickford, his England teammate, managed to block the attempt—marking his first successful penalty save in nine attempts.

Celebration and Defensive Resilience

Pickford’s save was celebrated by the Everton players and fans as though it was a last-minute winning goal. The save also helped Everton secure their first Premier League clean sheet of the season, resulting in their fifth point in the last three games after going without a point in their first four matches. The intensity of the celebration was amplified by the identity of the penalty taker, Anthony Gordon, whose controversial departure from Everton and rumored links to Liverpool over the summer only added to the occasion.

Gordon’s Struggles at Goodison Park

Gordon, who had successfully scored from the penalty spot in Newcastle’s previous draw against Manchester City, found no such fortune against his former club. The missed penalty was the first of his career and came at the very place he would have been most eager to find the back of the net, having scored only once in 15 prior appearances at Goodison Park playing for both teams.

His miss diverted attention away from Everton captain James Tarkowski, who had made a reckless decision in the first half by wrestling Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali to the ground, an action that led to the penalty. It was Tarkowski’s second controversial moment in recent matches, following an unpunished foul against Crystal Palace the previous weekend.

Everton’s Momentum vs Newcastle’s Stagnation

While Everton’s recent form appears to be improving, Newcastle’s performance is faltering, with this being their third consecutive match without a win after what had been their best start to a Premier League season in 13 years. The tone of the match was set early when Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes had his shot blocked on the line by Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, who appeared surprised as the ball deflected off his leg and missed the target.

Everton struggled to create opportunities, but Abdoulaye Doucoure thought he had opened the scoring after he headed in a cross from James Garner past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, a VAR review found Doucoure to be offside, disallowing the goal. Garner, a midfielder, was one of the changes made to Everton’s back four, as Jarrad Branthwaite missed the match due to a minor injury.

Tarkowski’s Misjudgment and Pickford’s Redemption

Tarkowski’s costly mistake at the corner, where he pulled Tonali down, resulted in Newcastle’s penalty. The veteran defender was seemingly trying to assert control but instead displayed an act of unnecessary aggression. VAR deemed it a “non-footballing action,” resulting in the penalty, which Pickford saved. The defender’s confidence appeared shaken as Joelinton easily maneuvered past him shortly after, with Michael Keane needing to intervene to neutralize the threat.

Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon’s struggles continued, with a missed opportunity to head in a chance for Joelinton from six yards out, instead sending it downwards with no real effect. Despite Everton’s shaky moments, halftime arrived with the match still level, providing the Toffees an opportunity to reset and refocus.

Second-Half Adjustments and Missed Opportunities

The second half began with Tarkowski making amends by quickly blocking a shot from Tonali. Newcastle’s lack of options in attack—with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson both unavailable due to injury—saw Harvey Barnes temporarily switch roles with Gordon before Barnes was substituted by Miguel Almiron, allowing Gordon to return to the center.

Substitute Idrissa Gueye made a crucial block to prevent Tonali from scoring, while Everton’s best chance of the second half fell to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was played through by Dwight McNeil. Calvert-Lewin, however, failed to capitalize, scuffing his shot with only Pope to beat and later having his penalty appeal waved away after inadvertently kicking Dan Burn while attempting to shoot on the rebound.

Pickford’s Leadership and Goodison Park’s Cheers

The game concluded with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford emerging as the hero, not just for his penalty save but for his overall commanding presence. The injury to Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier added to the visitors’ woes, while Goodison Park erupted in cheers for Pickford, who once again displayed why he remains England’s number one goalkeeper. The Everton faithful celebrated a hard-earned point, acknowledging their goalkeeper’s key role in keeping their momentum alive.