Pickford pleased to RUN them close

KEEPER PRAISES BLUES' EFFORTS AGAINST LEADERS AS HE TAKES CONFIDENCE FROM DEFEAT

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

JORDAN Pickford has praised Everton's efforts in running Arsenal close.

The Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win through Viktor Gyokeres’ 27th minute penalty after Jake O'Brien handled the ball in an aerial challenge with Riccardo Calafiori when defending a corner kick.

The incident that led to the spot-kick wasn’t seen by referee Sam Barrott on the pitch, but he awarded it after being invited to consult his pitchside monitor by Michael Salisbury on VAR duties.

Pickford said: “Everyone knows how much of a threat Arsenal are on set-pieces. Initially I've thought that Jake has headed it absolutely brilliant, but then VAR has stepped in.

“It is what it is and I always back myself to save a penalty, so I'm a bit disappointed.

“They're the fine margins in the Premier League and the game at the highest level, but we'll dust ourselves down and get ready for December 27 (the next game at Burnley).”

Several Everton players claimed they should have had a penalty of their own when William Saliba kicked Thierno Barry in the area, but that decision wasn’t given.