Jordan Pickford has admitted personal allegiances affected his performance in Everton's recent defeat to Newcastle United as he struggled to cope with a hostile St. James' Park crowd.
The former Sunderland goalkeeper endured a nightmare showing against the Magpies as Marco Silva 's side threw away a 2-0 lead, eventually falling to a late 3-2 defeat.
It could have been worse with Pickford fortunate to stay on the pitch after hauling down Salomon Rondon in the box after spilling a routine Matt Ritchie cross.
Making amends by saving the spot-kick, the 26-year-old was celebrated by sticking his tongue out at Newcastle fans in response to his Sunderland past ensuring his every touch was booed.
However, the Magpies had the last laugh with Pickford at fault for Ayoze Perez's equalier after he parried Miguel Almiron's shot into his path.
The shop-stopped responded by keeping a clean sheet in Everton's victory over Chelsea last weekend, but, when linking up with England for international duty, admitted that his reception from the Newcastle fans had got to him.
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"With me being a Sunderland lad, in front of 52,000 Newcastle fans hurling abuse at you for the full game . . . too much stuff," he conceded. "It was just all about being a Sunderland fan.
"That sort of language, maybe it did get to me a bit too much. But I’m only 25. It’s a learning curve.
"Next time I go there, I won’t be getting involved as much. I bounced back with a solid performance against Chelsea.
"It’s ‘How do I improve for the next game?’"
