Frank Lampard believes Jordan Pickford’s heroic save against Chelsea is the best of the Premier League era.
The Everton boss made the claim as he and several Blues stars relived last season’s relegation battle in front of a sold out theatre crowd in Washington DC. Lampard, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and Jordan Pickford each recalled their roles in the drama to US-based podcast host and huge Evertonian Roger Bennett.
On Pickford’s incredible stop from Cesar Azpilicueta in the season-defining win over Chelsea, Lampard said: “This save is not save of the season, it’s save of the Premier League era.”
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Pickford, for his part, said: “I had a feeling I was going to save it… I changed my body shape and managed to make a decent save.” That “decent save” was voted the best of the Premier League season weeks later.
Recalling the goal against Crystal Palace that secured Everton’s survival and sparked jubilant scenes at Goodison Park, Calvert-Lewin joked: “It’s a bit of a blur to be honest. I remember waiting for Demarai to take the set piece and thinking ‘he’s not put one of these on my head all season’… I was in the right place at the right time and the rest is history.”
Lampard admitted there were times he was fearful Everton would struggle to get the points to stay up and detailed his approach to the squad after various games - which included putting a brave face on the situation even when stressed in private.
He described his time on Merseyside as an “amazing experience” and, of the support of the fans, added: “It became this incredible animal that is unique to Everton. I understood that and I was proud to be part of that.”
Lampard explained he celebrated in the director’s box after the Palace win because of the support he had received from chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
In front of Gordon, who has attracted interest this summer, he said: “He can be whatever he wants… he’s absolutely got all the talent, he’s got the right attitude. For me, the next step for Anthony is ‘what are you going to deliver us next year in goals, in assists’… everything is there for Anthony.”
Hundreds of supporters packed out the Howard Theatre - previous host of music legends including Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald - for the Men In Blazers show, tickets for which sold out in less than an hour. The event was an example of how visible the club has been happy to be during the squad’s downtime as it seeks to engage with supporters. While the theatre show unfolded Leon Osman showcased the skills he had been practicing as he delivered the first pitch at the Washington Nationals’ baseball game with the Atlanta Braves.
After a heavy week of training, the squad were back in action on Friday morning - though they avoided a double session ahead of the weekend. On Saturday the club heads to Baltimore to face Arsenal before returning to its Washington DC base ahead of the second leg of the tour in Minnesota.
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