Carlo Ancelotti defends Jordan Pickford after his costly error for Everton against Leicester right in front of England manager Gareth Southgate, insisting he has 'no reason' to speak to his keeper
- Everton were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Leicester on Wednesday night
- James Rodriguez put the Toffees ahead with a clinical finish after 30 minutes
- But Youri Tielemans equalised after Jordan Pickford's blunder at Goodison Park
- The England No 1 fumbled Tielemans' shot from just outside the penalty area
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to blame goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for the error which cost his side three points in the 1-1 draw at home to Leicester.
James Rodriguez's brilliant 30th-minute goal was cancelled out by the England number one's mistake which allowed Youri Tielemans to equalise midway through the second half.
Tielemans levelled the scoring at Goodison Park after Pickford fumbled the Belgian's low shot from the edge of the penalty area into his own net.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was at fault for Leicester's equaliser on Wednesday night
And Pickford's costly error was watched by England boss Gareth Southgate, who was in the stands at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
'The goal I think it was difficult because the view of Jordan was not so good because there were a lot of legs there so he had difficulties to catch that ball and unfortunately they scored,' said the Italian.
'I spoke with the players saying that the point is good if we are able to win on Saturday so we are focused on Saturday but I didn't speak with him (Pickford) directly and I am not going to speak with him. There is no reason.'
Pickford's mistake in front of Southgate will cast further doubt over his position as England No 1 ahead of this summer's Euros amid pressure from Nick Pope and Dean Henderson.
The England No 1 fumbled Youri Tielemans' low shot from outside the area into his own net
Meanwhile, Ancelotti was satisfied with the draw on Wednesday, especially after his side gave up huge amounts of possession in the second half and were under pressure for most of it.
A failure to win meant they did not make it back into the top four but the Toffees boss remains upbeat, especially as they have two matches in hand on most of their rivals.
'I think the result is fair and when the result is fair we have to be happy,' he added.
'My team competed, we were able to score a fantastic goal with James and then we needed to defend.
'Leicester are a good team with the ball but we defended quite well. After they equalised we had opportunities to win but honestly I think the result is fair.'
Carlo Ancelotti refused to blame his goalkeeper following the final whistle at Goodison Park
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