Jordan Pickford made his much-anticipated return to the Stadium of Light on Monday night as Sunderland played out a 1-1 draw with Everton under the lights on Monday Night Football. The England No 1, who left the club in 2017, received a warm and proud reception from the home crowd as he made his way towards the Roker End before kick-off.

On the pitch, Everton and Sunderland put on an entertaining contest, with Granit Xhaka’s goal cancelling out the visitors’ opener to extend Sunderland’s unbeaten home run. Pickford expressed his hope and prayers for a positive reception from the club he had grown up supporting.

Following the match, Pickford spoke to Sunderland reporters about the draw, his emotional return, and the changes that have taken place under Régis Le Bris at Wearside. Here is the full Q&A from the interview:

Q: Was the 1-1 draw a satisfactory result for you and your family?
Pickford: “Yes, I think it was a fair result. It keeps things balanced. I am a footballer for Everton but a Sunderland fan. We always aim to win, and both teams had their chances in the match. We will analyze the game for areas of improvement and focus on sustaining our efforts throughout the full 90 minutes.”

Q: Can you describe the reception from the Roker End? Must be special for a Sunderland supporter like yourself.
Pickford: “I was hoping for a positive reception and I got one. The passion I have for the game and the clubs is evident. I grew up watching Sunderland play and gave my all when I played for them. I have a great relationship with both sets of fans and that will never change.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Sunderland’s transformation and recent success?
Pickford: “Football is unpredictable, as seen in the play-off final and the club’s recent investments in players. The rise of the club has been rapid, and I am pleased to see their progress. I still follow them closely but it’s important for me to perform for Everton as well.”