Everton 0-0 Newcastle
by James Nalton
at Goodison Park

ANTHONY GORDON and Jordan Pickford were the centre of attention as Everton and Newcastle played out a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon.

Gordon of Newcastle, a former Everton player and boyhood Liverpool fan went head-to-head with Pickford of Everton, a former Sunderland player, in the game’s key moments.

Though more has been made of his fondness for Liverpool FC since leaving Everton, Gordon is unpopular at Goodison Park due to the perception he forced a move from the club to join Newcastle.

Pickford, meanwhile, is always a target of jeers from Newcastle fans due to being a supporter of and former player at their rivals, Sunderland.

When James Tarkowski wrestled Sandro Tonali to the ground in the area, referee Craig Pawson had no choice but to award Newcastle a penalty and in doing so set up a face-off between the game’s two main characters.

Up stepped Gordon amid a cacophony of noise from the stands, a frantic waving of arms behind the goal at the Gwladys Street end, and some words in his ear from Everton’s seasoned campaigner Ashley Young.

Opposite him stood Pickford, typically irreverent in such moments.

Pickford dove left and saved Gordon’s penalty which was poorly hit, poorly placed and bounced away off the goalkeeper’s knee.

A player who recently spoke about blocking out external pressure when taking penalties appeared to let some pressure get through.

Newcastle had another chance to win the game in open play when substitute Miguel Almiron sent Gordon through on goal but the shot was blazed over the bar.

A draw was a fair result. Everton had their own penalty shout when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was interrupted in the action of striking the ball by Dan Burn. The VAR’s explanation for not giving it was that Calvert-Lewin kicked Burn.

Pickford and Gordon had a chat in the middle of the pitch at the end of the game. For all the goading aimed in their direction during the game, they are also England teammates and both characters know there are more episodes to come.