Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is confident history will not repeat itself and the club can say goodbye to the relegation battle.
For the third year in a row, the Toffees are fighting to maintain their long, proud record in the top flight, which was extended to a 71st successive season after Saturday’s win over Brentford.
This campaign was slightly different, as the club was hit with two separate deductions totaling eight points for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules – although it appealed the last two.
Friday, May 3rd, 7:00 p.m
Kick-off is 8:00 p.m
Without these penalties, Sean Dyche’s side would currently be behind 12th-placed Brighton on goal difference, 19 points clear of the drop zone.
Pickford believes this portends a change in fortunes – although he has witnessed a number of false premonitions before.
“I’ve been here for seven years now and (we) just keep fighting,” he told Sky Sports.
Pickford’s current contract runs for three years
“Hopefully we won’t be in this situation (again). I say it every year. We are Everton Football Club and we don’t want to be in this position, but we seem to be.”
“This year was probably a little different. I think we were hit hard with the points (deduction), but we recovered as a club and as a unit.”
“We keep fighting. I’m a fighter and I just love playing football.”
Pickford goes to the European Championships in top form
Three wins in a week also gave Pickford three clean sheets, putting him behind only Arsenal’s David Raya (14) in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove.
There has been some speculation this week that the England number one could be one of the club’s most valuable assets and may need to be sold to balance the books and avoid further PSR breaches.
However, Dyche rejected this suggestion.
“I think he’s really happy here. His family life has been sorted out and he has settled in as part of the Everton fabric. “That’s an important factor,” said the Everton boss live before his trip to Luton on Friday evening Sky Sports.
“He’s still England’s number one. He is in a healthy condition.”
Jordan Pickford kept three clean sheets in a row
“Once the players have settled into their lives and the club, it’s a really good situation and he certainly seems that way to me.”
“He has achieved achievements, especially important achievements. A few things have happened to him that can happen as a goalkeeper, he handles that side well and stays focused on the task at hand.”
“He has a team in front of him that works very hard and I think he believes in that team.”
Dyche is emerging as a music video star after leading Everton to safety
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Everton boss Sean Dyche appears in a Blossoms music video after meeting the band at a Rick Astley concert.
Dyche reflected on a “surreal” week in which the club avoided relegation and made his music video debut.
After taking care of business in their day job, Stockport-based indie band Blossoms beat Brentford on Saturday to secure their 71st consecutive top-flight season, releasing a trailer for their new single, which features Dyche prominently Role play.
Just last week, lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong posted a mock picture of him in an Everton jersey at the signing ceremony in response to an answer he gave in an interview about Green Day.
Asked about the strange last few days, Dyche said: “Some of it was intentional: the performances and wins I hope for. The rest of it is certainly surreal.”
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Highlights from Everton’s game against Brentford in the Premier League.
“The Green Day thing came from an answer to a question, and then Green Day picked it up and it’s amazing.”
“The music video was basically the guys I met at a Rick Astley concert and they were just like, ‘Would you like it?’ Why shouldn’t you, as a music fan, also want to appear in a music video?
“They kind of gave me a gross feeling: ‘Could you wear a suit, could you show up?’ and I thought, ‘I’m not quite sure how this is going to go,’ but they’re a really good group of guys and really good performers.” .
“I saw them at the Isle of Wight festival before the pandemic and they referenced it and said, ‘Would you come and do this video?’ I said ‘Yeah sure’. Really pleased.”
Asked about the role he played in the video – basically being himself – Dyche added: “I wouldn’t call it a character.”
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Everton manager Sean Dyche was delighted after a 1-0 win over Brentford secured their stay in the Premier League for another season.
“The basic premise is that I send them on a mission, they have a few mishaps along the way, and I remind them that they should do a better job. I’m pleased that it received a positive response.”
“Tom, the lead singer, just messaged me and said, ‘Listen, it’s had a positive reception so far’ and I think it’s Radio 1’s record of the week. It’s a good song that’s helpful.”
“For someone who is a huge fan of music and performing, it was very gratifying and fun to be asked and take part.”
Everton’s remaining games
Watch Luton Town vs Everton on Friday on Sky Sports Premier League; Kick-off 8 p.m
May 3rd: Luton (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8 p.m., live on Sky Sports
May 11th: Sheff United (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3:00 p.m
May 19th: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4:00 p.m
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