Jordan Pickford's extraordinary save in the 94th minute against Newcastle United has been hailed as the 'save of the season' by Jarrad Branthwaite and David Moyes. The Everton goalkeeper's stunning reaction to Sandro Tonali's thunderous volley kept the score at 3-2, securing a crucial away win and keeping Everton firmly in the race for Europe. This wasn't Pickford's first time rising to the occasion; his acrobatic stop against Cesar Azpilicueta in the 2021-22 season was named the Premier League's Save of the Season, and he has three Save of the Month awards to his name. Pickford's shot-stopping is consistently elite, as evidenced by his league-wide top ranking for the goals-prevented metric last season and his second place this season. His performances have been notable for their lack of contentious moments or errors, and he has become a calmer, more mature presence in goal. Pickford's ability to handle pressure and his positive impact on the team's morale have been key factors in Everton's success. The fans' chants of 'He's a Mackem, he's a Toffee' and 'He hates Newcastle, he hates the s**t' (Liverpool) reflect the deep connection between the goalkeeper and the club, and his heroics against Newcastle have further solidified his status as a fan favorite. With Everton pushing for Europe, Pickford's form will be crucial for the team's success, and his heroics will no doubt be a talking point for England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup.
