Saturday's Premier League contest at Goodison Park started in homage to Jordan Pickford and ended in pretty much the same way.
Prior to kick-off against Newcastle, the Everton supporters erected a huge banner depicting their goalkeeper with a reminder that he is number one for club and country.
By full-time, the 30-year-old showed precisely why by out-psyching villain-of-the-piece Anthony Gordon with an all-important penalty save to preserve their first clean sheet of the season in the goalless draw.
Both players took endless flak from the opposing supporters throughout the 90 minutes and after a long chat between the pair at the final whistle, it was Pickford who disappeared down the tunnel with a huge grin on his face and a raised fist towards those in the main stand.