PL hits and misses: Pickford heroics, Spurs show strength

Pickford heroics boosts Everton survival hopes

In a World Cup year, the credentials of most of England's regular talent are examined in detail, but none more so than the number one position.

Based on Sunday's superhuman display, Gareth Southgate needn't look any further than Jordan Pickford in Qatar - his performance may even be good enough to convince the staunchest of doubters.

On a day where Everton's survival bid depended on three points, their goalkeeper was a man mountain. In actual fact, Pickford may have registered not one but two submissions for 'save of the season' - denying both Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger with monumental stops in the second half.

"Jordan Pickford won the game for Everton single-handedly with his saves," said Sky Sports' Graeme Souness. It's difficult to disagree.

The Toffees approach to the game was aggressive and that worked to unsettle Chelsea, who were a shade below their level best. Regardless, no player epitomised the game plan more than Pickford, who was dogged and antagonistic from the off.

The 28-year-old had to be at his acrobatic best to preserve an all-important clean sheet and coped impressively under some relentless pressure, with Lampard reaffirming why he is so highly thought of on Merseyside: "Jordan is such a great lad, he is England's number one and that is the reason why. That is top level goalkeeping."

In the two Premier League meetings between Everton and Chelsea this season, the England international has managed 14 saves, conceding just once.

The result may well be the spark Everton require to pull off a remarkable escape with five games remaining. Needless to say, they will have to exhibit a similar amount of stubbornness in every fixture between now and the