Two Everton stars are in contention to claim prestigious individual Premier League awards for 2021/22.
Jordan Pickford is among a strong field competing for the Castrol Save of the Season following a staggering stop to deny Cesar Azpilicueta in the Goodison Park victory over Chelsea on 1 May.
And Andros Townsend’s crackerjack Goodison strike against Burnley is in the running for Budweiser Goal of the Season.
Pickford is nominated for an extraordinary feat of athleticism. He appeared stranded when the ball arrived at the feet of visiting defender Azpilicueta after Mason Mount’s original shot struck both posts.
>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR PICKFORD NOW!
>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR TOWNSEND NOW!
But the 28-year-old recovered to sprint across his goal in time to repel Azpilicueta’s shot, Pickford behind the goalline but somehow retaining the awareness and presence of mind to reach out and complete a save Everton Goalkeeping Coach Alan Kelly called “miraculous”.
Vote for Pickford to win the Premier League’s Castrol Save of the Season here.
Pickford’s reflexes would have been impressive enough in isolation. But in the context of Everton’s plight at the foot of the Premier League table and the accompanying pressure as Frank Lampard’s side clung to a one-goal advantage, the keeper’s effort qualified as one of the pivotal episodes of the Club’s campaign.
>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR PICKFORD NOW!
Voting for the award closes at 3pm on Friday 27 May.
The winner will be announced at 3pm on Saturday 28 May.
Everton forward Townsend opened his Premier League account for the Club in blistering style.
The 30-year-old collected the ball at the tip of the centre circle to stride forwards and unleash a screaming 30-yard shot that flew unerringly into the top-left corner, sparking pandemonium inside Goodison.
The goal back in September was Townsend’s first in the league following a summer transfer from Crystal Palace – and capped a five-minute swing as the hosts turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage.
>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR TOWNSEND NOW!
Townsend, who played 21 Premier League matches – starting 17 – and scored three goals in his debut Everton campaign, is on a 10-man shortlist for the best-goal prize.
Vote for Townsend to win the Premier League’s Budweiser Goal of the Season here.
Voting for the award closes at 3pm on Friday 27 May.
The winner is due to be announced at 12pm on Sunday 29 May.
Townsend is competing for the honour with players from nine different clubs.
Manchester City’s title-winning midfielder Rodri is nominated for a goal against Everton at the Etihad Stadium in November.
Danny Ings of Aston Villa, Manchester United’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette are vying to follow in the footsteps of 2020/21 winner Erik Lamela.
Also in the running are Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace attacker, Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea, Newcastle United’s South American playmaker Miguel Almiron and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Pickford, meanwhile, the England number one who was yesterday summoned for four Nations League fixtures next month, has healthy competition for the save of the season prize.
Davide De Gea of Manchester United has two separate saves in the running, while the Arsenal pair of Bernd Leno and Aaron Ramsdale are both in contention.
The shortlist also features Edouard Mendy of Chelsea, Burnley’s Nick Pope, Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, Newcastle United’s Slovak keeper Martin Dubravka and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.
