Jordan Pickford carries a bottle with a note on the opponent’s penalty kick in the match against Leicester. If Everton can escape relegation this season, they have to thank Pickford’s magic bottle.
Everton drew 2-2 with hosts Leicester City in Week 34 of the Premier League’s top competition. Competing at the King Power Stadium on Monday (1/5/2023) local time, Everton was able to take the lead in the 15th minute through Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty goal. However, Leicester were able to turn things around through goals from defender Caglar Soyuncu in the 22nd minute and Jamie Vardy’s action in the 33rd minute.
During injury time in the first half, referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot as a sign that Leicester had received a penalty kick. Home midfielder, James Maddison, stepped up to take a 12-foot shot. However, Maddison’s execution was thwarted by Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.
He accurately read the direction of player number 10’s shot. Maddison’s penalty kick, which Pickford read perfectly, prevented Leicester from widening the advantage. Everton were finally able to force a draw thanks to the equalizing goal scored by Alex Iwobi in the 54th minute.
After the Leicester vs. Everton game, a photo of a Pickford drinking bottle circulating in cyberspace which contained “snapshots” of opposing players’ penalty kicks. It says on the bottle that 60 percent of penalty shots are towards the center.
Pickford’s cheat was spot on. Even though he had made small movements to the right and left, the goalkeeper remained in his position, namely the center of the goal line. As it says on the Pickford bottle, Maddison really shoots for the middle.
Prepared as a goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford has prepared for all the possibilities that he will face on the field, including when the opposing team gets a penalty. After the match against Leicester, Pickford revealed that making notes on opponents’ penalties was “homework” for him.
“I did my homework,” the 29-year-old goalkeeper told Sky Sports. “I called him (James Maddison) and asked where I should move. He is a good player and expected me to leave position. However, I bluffed him twice and got his way,” Pickford said.
One point from a visit to Leicester headquarters is very valuable for Everton, who are struggling to escape from the relegation zone. Even though they are still stuck in 19th place with 29 points, the additional one point has made The Toffees now only one point away from Leeds who are in 17th place. Hence, it is the safety limit for relegation. If at the end of the season Everton can escape from the relegation abyss, they should be grateful to the magic bottle Jordan Pickford who helped win a point at home to Leicester.
