Former Arsenal and Liverpool stars blame one Everton player for Iwobi’s brilliant finish at Goodison Park
Former Arsenal midfielder Karen Carney and ex-Liverpool defender Jim Beglin have both highlighted that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was at fault for the goal conceded by Everton in a Premier League clash against Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday evening.
Clear-cut chances were are at a premium in the first half, although Raúl Jiménez, on the half volley, saw his tame effort saved, while Idrissa Gueye hit the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.
With the scoreboard reading goalless, the game needed a moment of brilliance and Alex Iwobi produced it on the hour mark when he broke the deadlock.
Hale End graduate Emile Smith Rowe went on a lovely mazy run, was almost taken down by veteran fullback Ashley Young, but still managed to pick out Iwobi who finished into the bottom corner after giving the goalkeeper the eyes.
Having played together with the Nigeria international for four years, Pickford should have reacted better, especially as he knows about Iwobi’s signature move of feigning to shoot in the opposite direction to mislead the goalkeeper while shooting the other way.
Commenting on the Premier League world feed, Beglin said: “He just runs across the path of Iwobi. It seems Pickford didn’t read what he was intending to do. He’s giving the goalkeeper the eyes, he’s just decided to go near post. He didn’t even get the laces through and he’s able to place this.
“It’s a lovely finish but thought maybe the goalkeeper could be slightly better positioned.”
Speaking post-match, Carney was on the same page as Beglin, stating, “It’s a brilliant run from Smith Rowe. There’s no way you shouldn’t be picking him up from the halfway line, going past one, going past two, poor attempt to break him down. He gets the pass off.
“It’s disappointing from Pickford because it’s not that he’s going far side, he’s going near post so I actually think Pickford could deal a little better with that.
“It was a great finish, nice side-foot and that’s why Pickford would be disappointed when he watches that back.”
