Pickford's Positive Outlook Despite Arsenal Defeat

Jordan Pickford insisted his side will “stick together and work hard” in order to bounce back against Burnley at Turf Moor following the Blues’ narrow 1-0 defeat to table-topping Arsenal.

Viktor Gyokeres’ spot-kick decided the clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium after Jake O’Brien was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area by VAR.

Reflecting on the fixture, Pickford said post-match: “We didn’t give away many chances, we defended really well. We had to suffer at times and probably didn’t create enough chances. I don’t think we hurt them as much.

“It was small margins in the game. That is why they are top of the league at the moment: they are resilient at the back and hard to break down. It is one of them games where they get a penalty, score from that, and we didn’t create much after. But, I thought our teamwork and effort we put in and application was quality.”

The shot-stopper continued: “You will have games where you create loads of chances, you will have games where you only create one or two chances. You have got to be clinical.

“But, Arsenal, they don’t give many opportunities away. Look at their record this season – I think they’re on like eight or nine clean sheets with only six goals conceded.

“They don’t give many opportunities away, if you do get one, how do you put it away? That’s not just Everton, that’s probably every team that’s played against them this season.”

The Toffees head in to Christmas in the top half of the table despite the defeat to the Gunners, with England’s No.1 expressing his belief in his side.

“We are a good side,” said Pickford. “Over the last few years and going back years, Everton have always been hard to break down. That is always the case once you have put an Everton shirt on. That is the standards that we expect from each other. Everyone knows when they come that they are going to have a tough game.

“We are not far off. Chelsea last week: we played very well and got beat 2-0. Arsenal tonight: played well, defended well, pressed really well, committed as a team – the lads that came off the bench made it a team effort.

“We are not far off. It is about getting the first goal and capitalising on that, which we haven’t the last two games."

He added: “We will rest up, we have got a busy period ahead of us and it is about sticking together and working hard. We have got Burnley coming up on the 27th.”