There will be no doubt be a temptation to see Everton ’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday as a tale of two penalty calls, only one of which was awarded. Jordan Pickford ’s first-half save from Anthony Gordon , returning to Goodison for the third time since swapping Merseyside for Tyneside, was the standout moment in an otherwise poor game. Advertisement This was a headline writer’s dream: two pantomime villains for opposing sets of fans going head to head, with the Sunderland -born Everton keeper coming out on top; Gordon’s apparent hubris, as he grabbed the ball with a smile before confidently mouthing “I’ll take it”, seemingly coming back to bite.
Pickford had watched Gordon send his two previous penalties, including his successful effort against Manchester City a week before, to the goalkeeper’s right but told Everton staff on the day of the game that he would be going the opposite way if he faced a Newcastle penalty. He guessed right and celebrated with team-mate Abdoulaye Doucoure directly in front of Gordon and a jubilant Gwladys Street end. It was a reprieve for a makeshift Everton who just about clung on, but could have won it themselves late on.
Manager Sean Dyche felt his side should have had a penalty of their own as Dan Burn tangled with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the box. In the immediate aftermath, substitute Idrissa Gueye had a golden chance to convert the rebound but skied his effort over the bar. Talk of the two penalty decisions inevi.