Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood praised the Everton star after their last game draw 2-2 with Brentford this afternoon.
Everton 2-2 Bournemouth as the Toffees grabbed a draw
There are six games left now and the European places are still very much up for grabs.
Brentford and Everton arrived at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon separated by goal difference, both knowing that three points would bring them close to Liverpool in fifth place and open a realistic path to Champions League football.
Neither succeeded – but the afternoon produced enough drama to keep both sets of supporters engaged in the debate.
Brentford made a good start.
Kevin Schade burst into the left channel inside the first two minutes, and Jordan Pickford, coming off his line to challenge, brought down the attacker for a clear penalty.
Everton ‘may’ have attempted to hijack Brighton’s £43m deal for the Bundesliga star and Newcastle have been rejected.
The Toffees sensed an opportunity to enter.
Igor Thiago, fresh from his brace for Brazil during the international break, converted from 12 yards without a sound. It was his 20th Premier League goal of the season – equaling Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo as the top-flight’s most goalscorers in a single campaign.
Everton started slowly but began to find their feet as the half wore on.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was forced into two saves before Beto got his reward: the striker headed home to draw the visitors level in the 26th minute, a goal that showed the growing confidence running through David Moyes’ side following their 3-0 win over Chelsea before the international break.
Brentford regained control after the break and grabbed what looked like the winner with 14 minutes left.
Michael Kayode’s shot diverted Thiago to Pickford who wrong-footed the ball into the net. It was Thiago’s 21st Premier League goal of the season – an outright record for Brentford, a historic individual moment in a game that threatened to be decided individually.
Thiago is attracting a lot of interest ahead of the summer, and it’s clear as day why.
But Everton refused to accept defeat.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall grabbed a stoppage-time equalizer to snatch a point from the Toffees, denying Brentford a draw against Liverpool and handing Everton a share of the spoils their second-half effort arguably deserved.
However, Dewsbury-Hall have not been their hero of a memorable campaign.
Tim Sherwood praises Jordan Pickford after Everton’s draw
On Sky Soccer Saturday, Sherwood turned his attention to Pickford after the final whistle, and despite an early penalty putting Everton behind, the former Tottenham boss was full of praise for the England goalkeeper’s contribution this quarter and today.
Sherwood told Pickford in Saturday’s post-match interview that he was having a “fantastic season” – pointing to a bigger picture than one expensive minute at the start.
The numbers back it up.
Everton have kept 11 clean sheets this season, second only to Arsenal’s 15 in all competitions.
Pickford’s consistency behind a well-organized defensive unit has been one of the defining features of their campaign, and with the World Cup looming this summer, a season of this quality puts him in a strong position as England’s first-choice move to North America.
This point still leaves both clubs in an offensive position.
Brentford and Everton sit seventh and eighth respectively, three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with seven games remaining.
The window has not yet closed but on an afternoon like this, when three points slipped through the fingers of both sides, they will be looked back on when the final title is confirmed.
Everton have given Liverpool’s “most important” target agents, he is ready to leave
The Toffees are one of the few suitors.
