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England fans demand Nick Pope starts ahead of Jordan Pickford after three penalty saves
Nick Pope made three penalty saves to send Newcastle into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup - sparking calls for him to take Jordan Pickford's spot in the England side

England fans demand Nick Pope starts ahead of Jordan Pickford after three penalty saves

England fans have demanded Nick Pope starts instead of Jordan Pickford at the World Cup after his penalty heroics for Newcastle.

Pope saved three of Crystal Palace's five spot kicks to ensure the Magpies progressed to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup after the game had finished 0-0 at St James' Park, less than 24 hours before Gareth Southgate is set to announce the 26-man squad he's taking to Qatar.

Both Pope and Pickford will be included – but fans think who will be No. 1 is now up for debate. One tweeted: "Nick Pope and his gorgeous long arms have GOT to start over Pickford."

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Another argued: "If Nick Pope isn’t starting over Jordan Pickford in the first game of the World Cup then Southgate has to be arrested for crimes against football."

"Nick Pope saved three penalties tonight against Crystal Palace, T-Rex hands Pickford wouldn’t save one," argued one. Another posted: "Pope three pens saved out of five, Pickford your time might be up."

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goalkeeper Jordan Pickford of England during the international friendly match between England and Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2022
There's been calls for Pope to replace Jordan Pickford as England's No. 1 (Image: Getty Images)

One commented: "Pope did all that just for Southgate to start Pickford over him at the World Cup." And one added: "Nick Pope, saving three penalties less than 24 hours before Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the World Cup. Pickford must be stressing right now"

Despite lapses in form for Everton, Pickford has always been first choice for England under Southgate. He has rarely put a foot wrong for his nation and kept five clean sheets en route to the Euro 2020 final last summer.

Nick Pope of Newcastle United saves a penalty taken by Malcolm Ebiowei of Crystal Palace during a penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James' Park on November 09, 2022
Pope saved three penalties as Newcastle knocked out Crystal Palace (Image: Getty Images)

Pope has picked up 10 caps when deputising for Pickford, most recently in the Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany earlier this season. He's been in inspired form since joining Newcastle from Burnley in the summer.

But it seems very unlikely that he'll usurp Pickford on the eve of the World Cup. While he may be a better shot stopper, his distribution and ability to play out from the back are weaker in Southgate's eyes.

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