Everton's Jordan Pickford was videoed swinging punches in a pub row in Sunderland from the early hours of Monday morning.The footage quickly went viral on social media, with the Toffees confirming they will be investigating their number one goalkeeper.

Northumbria police have also confirmed they will be investigating the disturbance as well.

Newcastle fans were the ones heckling Pickford, reportedly calling him 'small arms' and 'butterfingers'.

The Toon Army faithful and Pickford recently clashed in Newcastle's 3-2 win at home to Everton, with the Toffees goalkeeper regularly responding to the hostile reception he received.

However, the abuse aimed at himself was not what prompted a violent reaction from Pickford.

The Daily Mail have now revealed that it was once the abuse turned to his fiancee, Megan Davison, that things took a seriously downward turn.

A source said: "Someone verbally abused Jordan's partner and he flipped. He went for him but did not hit him and the video looks worse than it actually was. The whole thing was over in six or seven seconds.

"But there is no sugar-coating this, Jordan had been drinking and that probably didn't help in that he's reacted to the abuse. He is not happy that he got himself in that situation. Jordan had been mixing happily with fans before that and there was no issue until someone targeted his partner."

An eye-witness also said: "No one wants to see that kind of thing but it wasn't as bad as it may have looked. It was over in seconds."

While the reported abuse aimed at Pickford's family was totally out of order, the Everton man has to remember he has a big reputation to maintain.

He's now one of the most recognisable English footballers after his World Cup heroics and viewed as a role model by many.