Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Everton stars shine on international duty but Richard Keys takes cruel selection swipe

Here's a look at your Everton evening headlines for Monday, March 28.

Goals and rave reviews as Everton stars get confidence boost ahead of vital fixtures

Two Everton stars scored and several more have impressed during an international break that has offered positive signs so far.

More than a dozen senior and youth team players were called up by their countries and several have made the headlines with their exploits. Among those are Jordan Pickford and Nathan Patterson - who both earned plaudits for performances that caught the attention of the watching world.

Pickford’s heroics kept England in the game before they eventually overcame Switzerland at Wembley. Saves from Granit Xhaka and Fabian Frei proved crucial as he once again repaid manager Gareth Southgate’s faith in him.

READ MORE: Dele Alli facing key Everton spell as transfer question looms for Frank Lampard

READ MORE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin given Frank Lampard demand as 'cruel' Everton transfer scenario emerges

One of the most impressive sights of the international fixtures so far has been Anthony Gordon’s thumping volley as he smashed home in England U21s' 4-1 victory over Andorra U21s. The 21-year-old, a bright spark amid Everton’s struggles this season, hammered home after being fed by Southampton right back Valentino Livramento.

Also on the scoresheet was Richarlison, who grabbed a stoppage time goal as Brazil faced Chile in a World Cup qualifier at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The strike saw him cut inside a defender before curling a sumptuous left-footed effort into the far corner from just inside the area as he rounded off a 4-0 win.

Nathan Patterson’s performance in Scotland’s draw with Poland left supporters clamouring for him to have greater involvement in the first team as the season reaches its finale. Scotland boss Steve Clarke praised his performance, telling the Daily Record it “was really good for a boy who has had so little football”.

*Read the full story on how the Blues have been getting on away from Merseyside HERE.

Richard Keys tells Frank Lampard who Everton must drop to stay up in cruel swipe

If Everton are to avoid relegation this season, they should drop Jordan Pickford and play Asmir Begovic in goal instead, according to Richard Keys.

Bosnian goalkeeper Begovic was in-between the sticks for the Blues' dramatic late 1-0 victory against Newcastle United at Goodison Park on March 17, but regular No. 1 Pickford returned to the starting line-up for Everton's 4-0 FA Cup loss at Cyrstal Palace three days later.

Pickford has made 27 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions this season, but with the club sitting just three points above the relegation zone, beIN sports presenter Keys believes that a change is needed in order to instil more confidence in Everton's defence.

Writing in his own personal blog, Keys said: "He (Pickford) makes me nervous. Imagine playing in front of him. You’d s**t yourself. As a defender you’ve got to have total confidence in the guy behind you. That’s the last thing that Pickford inspires."

*Read the full story HERE.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.