Fans hail Pickford’s water bottle for keeping Everton in the Premier League

FOOTBALL fans are convinced that Jordan Pickford’s water bottle is what saved Everton from relegation.

The Toffees clinched Premier League survival with a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday thanks to a sensational strike from Abdoulaye Doucoure.

The result subsequently saw both Leicester and Leeds drop down to the Championship.

But Everton fans believe a pivotal moment from earlier this month confirmed the club’s fate weeks before the final day.

On May 1, the Toffees faced Leicester in a huge relegation clash at the King Power Stadium.

The final score was 2-2, but Pickford prevented the Foxes from claiming all three points with an excellent penalty save.

And fans were quick to notice that the 29-year-old had used his water bottle – which had penalty data written on it – to save the spot kick.

Everton supporters are now convinced that Pickford’s huge save – along with his trusty bottle – is what kept them in the Premier League.

One person tweeted: “Thank god for Pickford’s water bottle!”

Another added: “Jordan Pickford’s water bottle relegated Leicester.”

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While a third wrote: “Jordan Pickford’s WATER BOTTLE has kept us in the f****** league!”

Leicester claimed a 2-1 win over West Ham on the final day of the season, but the result was not enough to lift them out of the drop zone.

The Foxes finished 18th in the table, two points adrift of Everton.

Meanwhile, Leeds were subjected to a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham at Elland Road.

After the match, the home fans turned on their players in frustration once the club’s return to the Championship was confirmed.

Forward Georginio Rutter threw his shirt into the crowd as he and his team-mates attempted to applaud the supporters.

However, one fan caught it and threw it straight back onto the pitch, where it stood lying on the ground as the Frenchman retreated to the dressing room.