A VICIOUS pub fight involving England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford exploded after thugs called his fiancée "a fat c***", it has been claimed.
The Everton stopper was filmed appearing to throw punches during the brawl that left a bouncer with a black eye - however claims have today emerged that he was provoked.
the footballer had been heckled by a group while drinking in the Sunderland city centre when comments were made that targeted his partner Megan Davison, 22.
It was claimed the 6ft 1in, £30m star had managed to laugh off earlier taunts including "small arms" and "butter fingers" but exploded when the thugs insulted Megan.
The couple are childhood sweethearts - meeting when they were 14 at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School, Washington, Tyne and Wear.
The pair got engaged last year and Meghan announced in September the couple were having a baby.
She posted on Instagram: “When two hearts become three...just can’t wait for the next chapter with my fiancee #BabyPickford.”
In footage of the late night brawl, onlookers can be heard remarking: “It’s Pickford” before one yelled: “Jordan you k**b”.
Cops raced to the scene but it is thought Pickford had left by the time they arrived after three his pals dragged him away from the melee.
It is not known if Pickford was acting in self-defence.
(He was) walking around like he was a big shot and driving around in his Lamborghini outside the front
Witness
The fracas happened in Sunderland city centre after Pickford had watched his old Black Cats teammates suffer Wembley heartache in the Checkatrade Trophy final against Portsmouth.
A source said he had been drinking with pals for most of the day.
Punters claim to have seen him park a sports car outside the River Bar in Sunderland, and driving it up and down the road before he drank.
Video clips later in the day show him looking unsteady on his feet as he continued boozing at the Ps & Qs bar in Sunderland.
BOUNCER LEFT WITH BLACK EYE
And a snap shows him hugging a fan while holding a bottle of spirits with what looks like a drinks stain down his top.
A bystander told The Sun: “Jordan was being a bit of a k**b.
“He had been in the River Bar earlier that day, walking around like he was a big shot and driving around in his Lamborghini outside the front.
“They then went into Sunderland where a fight broke out. Jordan at one point had his top off and had been shouting.
Another witness added: “He was back in Sunderland and had been watching the match. He had been out all day.
“He had been out in Washington earlier and he eventually ended up in Ps and Qs. He was in the bar.
”He was with about ten people, a few of them dragged him away and put him in a taxi and took him home.”
According to witnesses, Pickford became more agitated through the night and when off-duty bouncer who was celebrating his birthday stepped in to calm him down.
FOOTBALL STAR
Jordan’s first professional signing as a keeper was with Darlington in 2012.
Spells followed at Alfreton Town, Bur ton Albion, Carlisle United , Bradford City and Preston North End.
He landed three trophies at Everton’s end -of-season awards last year when he was named Player Of The Year 2017-2018, Players’ Player Of The Year and Young Player Of The Year.
He made his international debut in November 2017 against Germany – but his mum Sue thought he was teasing her when he told her he had got his call up.
He said at the time: “I was buzzing. I said, ‘Mam, I’m going away with England, I’m going down now’. She went, ‘No, you’re not’. She thought I was winding her up. It was only a short period but being away for those two nights with the best players in the country was a massive learning experience.”
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A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At 12:19am today, police received a report of a disturbance involving a large group of individuals on Tunstall Road, Sunderland.
“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and locate those involved. Nobody is believed to have been seriously injured and no arrests have been made.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 19 010419 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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