Everton captain Seamus Coleman has described any credit he has received for Erling Haaland’s Boxing Day penalty failure as “nonsense”.
Sean Dyche’s side followed goalless draws against title-chasing Arsenal and Chelsea with a 1-1 draw against ailing Premier League champions City after Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliant finish cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s 14th-minute opener.
The game was all-square early in the second half when Vitaly Mykolenko brought down Savinho in the area, only for Jordan Pickford to guess correctly and make a fine save to deny Haaland from 12 yards.
Prior to the kick, Coleman tried to get in Haaland’s ear and his act of gamesmanship brought a booking. Speaking to reporters after the match, the veteran Republic of Ireland defender baulked at the idea he should share any credit with Pickford.
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“Listen, getting in his head is probably not an easy thing to do with what he’s achieved in the game and what he’s done in the game and what all them Man City players have done in the game and the manager has done in the game,” Coleman said. “They’re an example and a top team who are going through maybe a little bit of a tough moment at the minute but who doesn’t?
“We all do and they’re all human but it’s only nonsense really. Anything you can do.”
Jordan Pickford knew exactly what to do when it came to penalties against Man City 😅 pic.twitter.com/OkyP8UQ3pv
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 26, 2024
Pickford has proved to be a regular hero in penalty shootouts for England and sits atop the Premier League’s Golden Glove standings despite Everton’s relatively lowly position in the table.
“Yeah, Jordan’s been good at penalties. I’ll have to listen to him talk about it on the way home now which is unfortunate,” Coleman quipped.
“No, he’s a top-class keeper and it’s more about Jordan than me. He’s a great lad and he’s a fantastic goalkeeper and one of Everton’s best.
“I think and been a massive part of our survival the last three or four years and just a normal down-to-earth lad as well.”
