Roy Keane reacts to Jordan Pickford footage after what Everton star did

Roy Keane reacts to Jordan Pickford footage after what Everton star did

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford did “very well” in the first half of England’s 3-0 Nations League win over Greece on Thursday, Roy Keane has said.

Speaking on ITV1 at half-time (14 November, 8:40pm), Keane highlighted Pickford’s distribution as one key strength of his display, as the Three Lions took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Pickford was forced into action midway through the half with a world-class save to keep England in front, parrying at his near post to keep out a shot from Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

Keane said: “Very good save from Pickford – I think he’s done very well, particularly with his distribution.”

Jordan Pickford shows why he is Everton and England number one

Pickford bailing club and country out of trouble is nothing new, and although the UEFA Nations League rarely provides the highest of stakes, key saves on this stage are the 30-year-old’s bread and butter.

The solitary representative in Lee Carsley’s final squad following Jarrad Branthwaite’s withdrawal with injury, Pickford is showing no signs of slowing down as he ends a seventh year as England’s number one.

Evertonians will also have been delighted by the fact that Pickford’s spectacular stop denied a player who plies his trade on the red half of Merseyside, and that won’t have been lost on the keeper, either.

The former Sunderland man’s distribution hasn’t always been worthy of praise this season – just ask any Blues fan after their 4-0 drubbing at Tottenham – but he was watertight in possession against Greece.

With the final international match of the year against the Republic of Ireland and out-of-favour Toffees team-mate Jake O’Brien coming up, Pickford will surely have another chance to rubber-stamp his spot