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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Garth Crooks makes major Jordan Pickford claim after Everton save against Chelsea

A Jordon Pickford wonder save for Everton against Chelsea has been described as the best since Gordon Banks against Pele, by Garth Crooks.

Everton secured a vital three points at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half goal from Richarlison. But the Blues had to call upon Pickford to preserve the win, after he made two sensational stops that prevented Thomas Tuchel's side from equalising.

Pickford's heroics were enough to see him included in Crooks' BBC Premier League team of the week, but the praise for the England goalkeeper didn't stop there. The pundit said: "Pickford kept a clean sheet but I don't know how he did it. The Everton keeper made two of the most remarkable saves to clinch a vital victory for the Toffees. He was forced to sprint across his goal line before diving to make the most miraculous double-handed save I've seen since Gordon Banks saved Pele's header in the 1970 World Cup.

READ MORE: What Jordan Pickford did after stunning double Everton save as 'corrupt' banner unfurled

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"Pickford, now fired up, spread himself in order to block a shot which almost knocked him out and would have put other mere mortals in the Royal Infirmary. This was an inspired performance by the England number one. Everton would have been in a perilous position had they lost to Chelsea and Pickford has given Toffees boss Frank Lampard a lifeline."

Also included in the Match of the Day correspondent's team was Pickford's team-mate Anthony Gordon. Crooks added: "This was a massive win for Everton and they just about deserved it. One of their brightest contributors was Anthony Gordon. He was unlucky not to make my team last week against Liverpool but after another impressive performance in the extraordinary win over Chelsea, Gordon couldn't be overlooked again.

"That Everton should find themselves in this position is one thing but if they can win their game in hand and hold their nerve then anything is now possible."

The Blues' morale-boosting victory against Chelsea means they have not lost any ground on Burnley, who won at Watford on Saturday, and have gained three points on Leeds United. Lampard's side remain 18th in the Premier League, two points adrift of Leeds and the Clarets, but crucially, they have a game in hand.

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