Pickford: Draw with West Ham Shows Everton’s Higher Standards

Everton Held at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Jordan Pickford says Everton’s frustration at being held to a 1-1 draw with West Ham United reflects the higher expectations inside the squad this season.

Michael Keane opened the scoring with a first-half header at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Midway through the second half, Jarrod Bowen struck a deflected effort to level the game for the visitors.

The Blues remain unbeaten at their new home, stretching that run to four games in all competitions. Yet Pickford explained that the players left the pitch disappointed rather than satisfied.

Pickford: “We Wanted More”

“I think we started both halves well but when you’re 1-0 up, you’ve got to go and get that second goal and put pressure on them,” he said. “They probably counter-attacked us better in the second half – something their new manager does well as he proved at Nottingham Forest last season.

“We controlled most of the game but we just couldn’t get that second goal.

“We kept penetrating, we just lacked a clear-cut chance that would have allowed us to grab the win. I don’t think we got that. We had a lot of the ball and they sat off but it was just that clear chance we were missing. We defended well, we stayed quite solid and I’m disappointed we didn’t get the clean sheet.

“We wanted to win. After we conceded we didn’t crumble, we kept going, kept getting on the ball and trying to find a way to score but it’s one of those – we’re disappointed not to get three points and that’s the standard we set ourselves now.

“That’s what we’re striving for – three points every time we go out on the pitch.”

Bowen Breaks Everton’s Clean Sheet Record

Bowen’s goal was the first Everton have conceded in a competitive fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium. His strike deflected off Keane before looping beyond Pickford.

Everton and England’s No.1 added: “[Keane] just got a snick-o on it and it’s just flashed past me. You’ve got to with your instinct in situations like that.

“There’ll be other times this season where Keano, or whoever, gets a full block on it and it goes away and you’re cheering. It was one of those things.”

Join the Debate

Want to share your thoughts on the game? Continue the discussion in our Everton Forum.