Sky Sports has uncovered a unique strategy employed by Everton’s Jordan Pickford during their recent 2-0 triumph over Brighton. The match, held at the Toffees’ newly opened stadium, saw Pickford’s pivotal penalty stop become a talking point after cameras caught him referencing a water bottle cheat sheet moments before the decisive save.
The footage, shared by Sky Sports, revealed the 30-year-old goalkeeper consulting a list of opposition penalty takers scrawled on his water bottle. This time, it highlighted Danny Welbeck’s tendency to split his shots evenly to the left and right, with Pickford instructed to dive to his left—directly countering Welbeck’s usual approach. The tactic paid off as Pickford swiftly blocked the striker’s weak effort, securing the win for Everton.
The victory marked the first match at the club’s state-of-the-art venue, with goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner sealing the result. Jack Grealish, who joined Brighton on loan from Manchester City, was instrumental in setting up both scoring chances. However, the moment that stole the spotlight was Pickford’s pre-save preparation.
This isn’t the first time Pickford has used such a method. The England international has previously relied on the same technique during high-stakes encounters, including the 2024 Euro final against Switzerland. His latest save has now placed him in an elite group of English goalkeepers, with eight Premier League penalty stops to his name since joining Everton in 2017.
While former West Ham custodian Lukasz Fabianski holds the record for the most Premier League penalty saves (10), Pickford now ranks fourth among English goalkeepers in this category. He trails Rob Green and Ben Foster, who each have nine saves, but remains far behind David James, who boasts an impressive 13 stops in his career.
The incident has sparked renewed interest in goalkeeping tactics, with fans and pundits alike marveling at how such a simple tool can influence high-pressure moments. Pickford’s calm demeanor and calculated approach once again proved vital in a match that saw Brighton claw back chances, including a penalty awarded after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s handball.
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