Ange Postecoglou was disappointed to see Tottenham Hotspur concede a late Jarrad Branthwaite equaliser at Everton with Jordan Pickford denying the Champions League-chasers a decisive third goal at the other end.
Not for the first time this season, Everton needed a couple of magical moments from their England international goalkeeper, Tottenham turning the screw and threatening to extend the lead given to them by a couple of stunning finishes from ex-Toffee Richarlison.
And, as he has done so often throughout the Sean Dyche era, Jordan Pickford swooped in and rescued the damsel in distress from an almost-certain demise.
The Everton number one made a series of fine stops in the second ‘45, denying James Maddison from long range whil ensuring Richarlison did not achieve something he never managed in blue, and score a hat-trick at Goodison Park.
Jordan Pickford shines as Everton frustrate Tottenham
“Pretty disappointed. Particularly conceding so late,” Postecoglou sighs, speaking to BBC Sport after Branthwaite capped a colossal performance of his own with a close-range equaliser in the 94th minute.
“We had chances to kill them off that we didn’t take. In the end, they got one late. That was the only threat they had, we had to deal with them throwing balls into the box all game.
“Pickford pulled off two or three good saves. We got two but just couldn’t get the third.”
The result keeps Everton – who were deducted ten points by the Premier League for breaching ‘profit and sustainability rules’ back in November – within touching distance of Nottingham Forest in 17th.
Tottenham, meanwhile, missed the chance to go level with North London neighbours Arsenal ahead of the Gunners‘ clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
Jarrad Branthwaite snatches Toffees point
“The way the team took on the work after a late night at Fulham (a 0-0 midweek draw)… The commitment to the cause is evident,” Dyche tells the Liverpool Echo, Everton’s dead-ball deliveries causing problems for Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario throughout.
“At half-time, I reminded the players it was a really good half and they needed to keep going. I thought we kept our level really high. We want to be competitive on set pieces all over the pitch. My staff and the analyst team make the best chances we can, but delivery is a large part of it.
“I think there is an intent there and we are a threat from there. It’s just about the way that we work.
“They’re seeing a side going to the last breath of a game with the players. And (that personality) was on show again today. We were knocking on the door constantly and got our reward at a set piece from Jarrad.”
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