Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1210197
23 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTS FOOTBALL Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday Weather Fine Visibility Good Wind West Northwest force 5 to 6 becoming force 4 to 5 Sea Moderate becoming slight to moderate Swell Negligible TODAY TOMORROW Weather Crossword Across 1. Branch of knowledge (7) 4. Vacuum flask (7) 8. Stealing from a shop (11) 12. Scheme (4) 13. Pitch (4) 14. Person who explores caves (5) 15. Revise (6) 17. Artificial waterway (5) 22. Donations to the poor (4) 23. Reprimand (5) 24. Encounter (4) 25. Shoe ties (5) 28. Zone (6) 30. Occur again (5) 32. Abound (4) 34. Equipment (4) 35. Saturated with water (11) 38. Communication (7) 39. Any longer (3,4) Down 1. Containing soap (5) 2. Fourth Gospel (4) 3. Head covering (3) 5. Humble dwelling (3) 6. Rave (4) 7. Moon (9) 8. Having a sound mind (4) 9. Escaping fluid (4) 10. Combustible matter (4) 11. Woman's dress (4) 14. Crucifix (5) 16. Squander (5) 18. Allow to enter (5) 19. Icy storm (9) 20. Female bovine (3) 21. Mammary gland in cows (5) 26. Ship's company (4) 27. 365 days (4) 28. Form of wrestling (4) 29. Was indebted to (4) 31. Unrefined (5) 33. Charts (4) 34. Microbe (4) 36. Ovum (3) 37. Alcoholic liquor (3) SUNNY UV: 4 MAINLY SUNNY UV: 4 19 0 / 13 0 18 0 / 12 0 FEELS LIKE 19 0 FEELS LIKE 18 0 EVERTON goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has taken a swipe at player-turned-pun- dit Gary Neville and a host of other crit- ics who he feels "hate" him. The England number one's mistake, letting Christian Benteke's equaliser slip under him, in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace put the focus back on his individ- ual form after a mixed last 18 months. Neville criticised him back in Sep- tember for laughing when 3-1 down to Manchester City, while plenty have been quick to scrutinise Pickford over other perceived failings. Even some Everton fans have been so frustrated by his lack of consistency they have called for him to be dropped. Pickford knows he is there to be shot at but believes his position as first- choice for England makes him a par- ticular target. "I think the press and everybody; the punters - look at Gary Neville - they just want to come for England players," he said. "Everyone gets stick. Some get a lot more praise than others. That's part of being an England player. "Everyone hates you, for some reason. I just get on with it. You have got to live with it, you have got to learn. I know what I am capable of and I know what I am good at. "It is what it is. Look at Joe Hart when he was number one. He got pelters every week. "You just keep it away from your head as the only person who can sort things out is yourself as an individual, on the pitch and in training. "It's looking after things on the pitch for Everton that is my main aim. That gets you picked for England. "It's funny because everyone raves about you when you are with England but then you get back to your club and everyone wants to slate you. "As a person, I don't let it affect me. But it does p*** you off." Last season Pickford made four errors which led to goals. He has two in the current campaign. Everton and England no.1 hits out at critics Jordan Pickford: England goalkeeper is under fire at Everton