Many Newcastle United fans have been creasing up on social media, after Toon icon Olivier Bernard destroyed Everton’s Jordan Pickford for his horrific blunder in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw.
Goals from Moise Kean and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had moved the Toffees into a strong lead at Goodison Park during the midweek clash, but the unlikeliest of heroes Florian Lejeune would come off the bench to snag a brace and secure a point in stoppage-time.
Lejeune could have been denied his second by goal-line technology had it not been for Pickford making yet another mistake against the Magpies, with England’s number one standing well behind his line as the French centre-half poked the ball on target.
Pickford had rarely been tested throughout the 90 minutes before our late assault, and would have left the field knowing he ought to have done better to ensure Everton took all three points.
He did not cover himself in glory, though, and club icon Bernard has shared his gratitude to the ‘keeper while pocking fun at the 24-cap international’s blunder.
😂😂😂 it’s 2-2 at #Everton tonight . Great result and a big thnak you to @JPickford1 pic.twitter.com/u63I57saYK
— olivier bernard (@seedorf77) January 21, 2020
Bernard made 139 appearances for United during his various spells on Tyneside, scoring six goals and penning one assist over 10,500 minutes of football in Black and White.
Pickford had a catastrophic afternoon at St. James’ Park last season, as he spilled Miguel Almiron’s shot into the path of Ayoze Perez, set up Salomon Rondon to volley home and was fortunate not to be sent off after speering the Venezuelan.
The 25-year-old is firmly Everton’s number one having started between the sticks in each of the Toffees’ Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures thus far this season.
Everton signed Pickford from Sunderland in June 2017 for an initial £25million, though their deal could see the Black Cats net £30m – which was a club-record outlay for the Blues at the time.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Bernard destroying Pickford for his latest horror moment…
Been crying at this. Absolute vintage 😂
— Daniel Wright-Miller (@windM1LLER) January 21, 2020
@AnthonyIAnson Oliver Bernard ripping into pickford 😂😂😂
— Ross I’Anson (@RossIAnson92) January 22, 2020
What a guy 😂😂
— carl barnes (@carlrbarnes25) January 21, 2020
Ollie LAD
— Stephen Kirkbride (@K999RKYs) January 21, 2020
@Gazcumps absolutely creased
— barry c homeowner (@jesscumpsonx) January 21, 2020
Great banter! pic.twitter.com/DrFZeOAanT
— ToonArmyChina (@china_toon) January 21, 2020
Olivier Bernard! What a hero! Lucky to be still alive after Laurent Robert nearly killed him with that clearance back in the day!
— Colin McNicholas (@tickles23) January 21, 2020
😂🦖 he’s the gift that keeps on given this lad!
— Robbie (@Robbie59303961) January 22, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are not giving up hope of signing a 16-goal forward this month.