Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom was left disappointed after Jordan Pickford’s late heroics denied the Blades a first Premier League win of the season. The England international pulled off two superb stops to foil Oli McBurnie at the death as United were held to a 2-2 draw with Everton. Pickford tipped a header onto the underside of the crossbar and then recovered to turn the follow-up effort onto the post as Everton got their league season up and running after three successive defeats.
Paul Heckingbottom said: “It’s an unreal save, the second one he doesn’t know too much, it hits his head and the post, but it’s a big moment. It’s another example of why we love the game and how fine the margins are. We are not stupid, we know that we are going to need a lot of those moments to go in our favour this season, of course we are. Today it didn’t. But I can’t grumble, I think it was a really good game and probably a fair result.”
Heckingbottom was full of praise after Cameron Archer marked his first league start with a goal. He also played an integral part in United’s second goal.
Paul Heckingbottom said: “I was delighted for him. There were lots of things about Cam that I like. First and foremost, what people expect and know about – and especially when you speak to him – is that he wants to score goals. That is what he enjoys. But he also works hard and physically he is very good and we will improve that area of him as well. To use that physicality when he hasn’t got the ball and get him in the best areas when he has. We are pleased for have him. He couldn’t have had a better debut, really. He’s off the mark, up and running and looks fit. It’s the most minutes he’s played as well and he’s going to get stronger.”
