Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has heaped praise upon Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Pickford was once again in spectacular form on Sunday as the Toffees beat Leicester City 2-1 to jump out of the relegation zone with four games remaining until the end of the season. The England shot-stopper continued his recent form in between the sticks after making a number of crucial saves in last week's win over Chelsea.
Though Pickford conceded against Patson Daka at the King Power Stadium, he later made crucial saves from Daka and Harvey Barnes to follow up with the stops from Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta seven days prior.
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And Hislop has credited Pickford for turning things around when Everton needed him the most - claiming that he's been the 'emotional spark' needed as the Goodison Park outfit look to avoid relegation to the Championship.
“For the second week running… Jordan Pickford came up huge," Hislop told ESPN FC. “For a goalkeeper who I do not understand [why] is criticised in the way he has [been], in the last two weeks Pickford has single-handedly won six points for Everton, in the most crucial of times, in the most crucial of seasons for Everton when you think about what it costs to be relegated, and he needs to be credited for that.
“Jordan Pickford I feel at times gets a little emotionally carried away. I think at this time of the season, with everything at stake, emotions are riding high, and somehow Jordan Pickford… has been the emotional spark that Everton need but he’s backed that up with incredible performances.
“His saves have been top notch, beyond any kind of doubt or debate. So it’s come just right for him, in terms of his own personality.
“Frank Lampard has his goalkeeper to thank. I think Everton have Jordan Pickford to thank.”
Pickford is expected to be on hand again over the next few games, with a trip to already relegated Watford on Wednesday before welcoming Brentford to Goodison Park on Sunday. That is followed up by Crystal Palace making the trip from south London to Merseyside before the Toffees finish the season against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
