Everton fans, apart from snagging an elusive winning goal, could not have written a better script for last night’s match.
After all, not only did they add another Premier League point onto the board, but they also got to see Anthony Gordon return to Goodison Park and once again fail to turn one of his many chances into a goal.
In last season’s 3-0 drubbing, the former Toffees winger squandered two fine chances, and Saturday was no different.
The only change was that, after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have fouled Sandro Tonali, he was handed arguably the easiest opportunity he will ever get from 12 yards.
What made things even sweeter was that his effort was denied by Jordan Pickford, a man who is despised on Tyneside due to his ties with Sunderland.
Anthony Gordon made history at Goodison Park last night
Naturally, there is still cause for frustration, as there were chances forged that would have seen Everton manager Sean Dyche walk away with all three points.
They rode their luck, but once again lacked that cutting edge to make any fortune pay additional dividends.
So, with an international break now just around the corner, this will remain the game that sits in the heads of fans for the next week or so, played on repeat.
Fortunately, they were given an endlessly re-watchable moment in the form of Gordon’s penalty miss.
And, to add insult to injury, he made history with that failed effort. Everton’s official statistician, Gavin Buckland, would write: Anthony Gordon first former #EFC player to have a penalty saved at Goodison since Tom Browell for Manchester City on Christmas Day 1922.’
An 102-year record hilariously shattered by the man who Evertonians loathe the most at present, and it certainly made up for all the fury Everton fans have for Craig Pawson.
Anthony Gordon is heaping pressure on himself
It’s so clear to see that Gordon is simply trying too hard to impress upon his return to Everton that he simply can’t achieve what he wants.
He is heaping too much pressure on himself, and it’s proving to be a crushing weight that holds him back.
Just 23 years old, last season was a clear standout for the England international, who became the Magpies’ chief outlet on the left flank.
However, since the summer, when he was snubbed consistently by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, he has come back a different player, devoid of confidence.
There was an element of recaptured arrogance as he took the ball ahead of the penalty, but even then you could see that he was already imagining how he might celebrate his goal before even putting it in the net.
If he is to shake his Goodison Park hoodoo, he needs to ease off on the pressure. Although, Everton’s home support is unlikely to relent in their distaste for him.
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