There are moments in every season on which fate turns. For Everton, and Jordan Pickford in particular that moment seemed to arrive on the hour of this pulsating contest.
Two ridiculous, remarkable saves from the England goalkeeper within the space of seconds delivered a seismic victory for Frank Lampard’s relegation-haunted side over his former club Chelsea. Yet those fleeting few seconds went far beyond three points, no matter how precious. Those saves, both defying logic as well as gravity, suggested it will be the moment Everton’s whole, miserable season finally turns.
The inspiration they gave to Lampard’s passionate, hard working team, the belief they offered to a crowd which has seemed bowed and almost beaten at times recently, will surely act as a catalyst for more of the incredible scenes we saw here at Goodison on an emotional afternoon. Pickford produced two more top-class saves before the end of a ferocious contest, but his performance will be remembered for a long time for those two defiant moments.
