Jordan Pickford delivered an emotional message to Sunderland fans after his Stadium of Light return

Emotional Return for Jordan Pickford as Sunderland Hold Everton to 1–1 Draw

Jordan Pickford’s long-awaited return to the Stadium of Light finally came on Monday night as Sunderland held Everton to a 1–1 draw under the lights in an entertaining Premier League clash.

It marked the England No. 1’s first competitive appearance back at his boyhood club since leaving Wearside for Everton in 2017 — and the homecoming was met with warmth, pride, and admiration from all corners of the ground.

A product of Sunderland’s academy and a lifelong fan, Pickford was visibly emotional as he received applause from all four stands while walking toward the Roker End before kick-off. The South West Corner — where he once stood as a supporter — gave him an especially loud ovation.

On the pitch, the match lived up to the occasion. Everton took an early lead before Granit Xhaka’s equaliser ensured Sunderland’s impressive unbeaten home record remained intact. Off the field, however, the night carried extra meaning for Pickford, who later admitted he had been “praying” for a positive reception from the fans who watched him grow up.

After the match, Pickford spoke candidly about the emotion of his return, his connection to Sunderland, and the club’s remarkable transformation under Régis Le Bris.

Q&A with Jordan Pickford

Q: Was that 1–1 draw maybe a good result for the Pickford household?
Pickford: “Yeah, I think it keeps things sane! I’ve not spoken to my family yet. I’m an Everton player, but I’m also a Sunderland fan. Looking at it all, it’s probably a fair result. We had chances early on, then Sunderland got their goal. After that, it was about who’d take the next chance to win it. We’ll review things with the manager, there’s room to improve but also plenty of positives. It’s about keeping that effort consistent for the full 90 minutes. And yeah… I’m still a Sunderland fan myself.”

Q: That reception from the Roker End looked pretty emotional – how special was that moment?
Pickford: “I was honestly praying for a good reception — and I got one. Both Sunderland and Everton fans know how passionate I am. I grew up watching Sunderland, standing in the crazy corner. I gave everything when I played for this club. I’ve been at Everton for nine seasons now and built a great bond with both sets of fans. That’s just who I am, and I’ll never change.”

Q: Can you believe the transformation at Sunderland? From the play-offs to this level so quickly — it’s surreal.
Pickford: “That’s football for you. We all remember the play-off final — if it wasn’t for Pato’s incredible save early on, Sunderland might not even be here now. The club’s invested really well, both in players and structure. I still follow them closely, and it’s brilliant to see how far they’ve come. But of course, I’ve got my own job to do for Everton too.”

Pickford’s return to Wearside may have ended in a draw, but for the local lad who once dreamed of stepping out at the Stadium of Light, the night was about more than just the result — it was a proud, emotional homecoming years in the making.