Everton keeper Jordan Pickford did his homework to save James Maddison's penalty

Jordan Pickford is England and Everton's first-choice goalkeeper

EPL Everton keeper Jordan Pickford did his homework to save James Maddison's penalty

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 12:00 - 02.05.2023

James Maddison stepped up but saw his penalty saved by his England teammate Jordan Pickford.

Every point matters for Everton and Leicester City at this point of the season. The two clubs find themselves in the relegation battle with four games left to play.

The two clubs clashed in a relegation six-pointer on Monday night and ended up sharing the spoils.

Everton, playing away from home, started as the better side and took the lead through striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was fouled and went on to score from the penalty spot.

Defender Çağlar Söyüncü equalised for the hosts before Jamie Vardy made it 2-1.

Leicester had the chance to take a two-goal cushion into the halftime break when they were awarded a penalty.

James Maddison stepped up but saw his penalty saved by his England teammate Jordan Pickford.

Jordan Pickford saved James Maddison's penalty to help Everton pick a point at Leicester /COURTESY PICTURE

The Everton goalkeeper revealed after the game that he had done his homework and expected Maddison to put his penalty through the middle.

Pictures showed Pickford's water bottle contained the sentence' James Maddison - Stay - 60% centre' - and that's precisely how the England shotstopper kept the Foxes from running into a 3-1 lead at the break.

Speaking told Sky Sports, Pickford said: "I did my homework, I called it this morning where I was going to go, but he's a good player, and he'll expect me to make a movement.

"He's got a great delivery. He expects me to make the dive. I think I double-bluffed him.

"It was a big moment, and I'm happy I saved it because that's what I'm here to do, try and help the team. I'll try my best to get them out of trouble."

Alex Iwobi equalised for the visitors in the 54th minute to run away with a point away from home.

The result moved Leicester out of the red zone and into 16th with 30 points, while Everton remained 19th with 29 points.