Everton's Pickford made his England debut seven months ago and had only three caps before the World Cup but Southgate let him know he would be his first-choice.
Tottenham Hotspur flop David Bentley rejoined former club Blackburn Rovers on loan on Friday and Manchester City's Dutch teenager Karim Rekik has also moved to the English second tier side on a short-term deal.
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng returned to haunt his former club with a last-gasp goal that secured a 1-0 win over English title holders Manchester City in their opening Champions League Group E clash on Wednesday.
Stoke thought they had secured all three points and their first away win since October when substitute Peter Crouch knocked a loose ball into the back of the net after West Ham's England goalkeeper Joe Hart spilled a shot after 79 minutes.
Here are five talking points from the weekend's Premier League action:
Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their claim for a top-four finish in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Fulham on Tuesday as Liverpool could only manage a 0-0 draw at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Real Madrid have made their 14th Champions League final following their 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Alexis Sanchez earned Arsenal a point in a pulsating north London derby at White Hart Lane after Tottenham Hotspur had looked set to join Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday. Arsenal, who began the day three points behind Tottenham in third place after consecutive league defeats, went in front against the run of play shortly before halftime when Aaron Ramsey beat Hugo Lloris with a deft flick. The visitors had Francis Coquelin sent off for a second booking after a foul on Harry Kane in the 55th minute and Tottenham levelled four minutes later when Toby Alderweireld lashed in from close range following a corner. Two minutes later Kane cut if from near the corner flag and curled a magnificent effort past David Ospina to put Spurs ahead. But Sanchez silenced the home crowd when Hector Bellerin played him in and he beat Loris with a low shot to end a run of 11 Premier League games without a goal.
Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona overwhelmed Manchester City as Ivan Rakitic's strike secured a 1-0 win.
A round-up of Tuesday's action in the UEFA Champions League.
After adding 271 people last year, the Academy sends out invitations to more than 300 people this year.
Wayne Rooney scored twice to help Manchester United stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games in an entertaining 2-2 Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were upset 3-1 at HullCity on Sunday.
Arsenal maintained their challenge for a first trophy in nine seasons when they beat Liverpool 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.
Sergio Aguero netted his 13th hat-trick for Manchester City as the champions made light of the absence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne to thrash Huddersfield Town 6-1 and move joint top of the Premier League.
Manchester City suffered from deja vu as Luis Suarez's double gave Barcelona a 2-1 first leg lead in a Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad although Lionel Messi's late penalty miss left the door ajar on Tuesday.
Wolfsburg shock Real Madrid 2-0 to crown big European night.
Anger driving City to new heights, says City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
A controversial penalty in the dying minutes cost Manchester United dear as they suffered another defeat after Leicester City fought back brilliantly to win 5-3 at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
West Ham United could face repercussions after several pitch invasions and ugly scenes in the stands during the second half of a crushing 3-0 home Premier League defeat by Burnley on Saturday.
Chelsea to host Burnley in Premier League season ope
Manchester City beat Dynamo Kiev 3-1 during their UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg match in Kiev on Wednesday.
Chelsea re-signed David Luiz and Premier League champions Leicester City broke their transfer record for striker Islam Slimani as English clubs exceeded the one billion pounds barrier when the curtain fell on transfer deadline day.
Crystal Palace left Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League crown in tatters after a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on Monday to leave Manuel Pellegrini's side trailing a distant fourth in the title race.
'Solskjaer has improved morale by freeing players from the shackles with which Mourinho had bound them.' 'He has made his team a happier bunch of people,' says Suhit K Sen.
England striker Daniel Sturridge celebrated his return after a five-month injury layoff when he came off the bench to score as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Premier League champions Manchester United is reportedly making a pounds 60 million bid for a positive Gareth Bale transfer from Tottenham Hotspur and is prepared to smash their 30.8 million transfer record to prise him away from White Hart Lane.
Arsenal landed a meaty blow in the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win at home to rivals Manchester City that swept away a few more doubts about their title credentials.
It is their best finish for 54 years, since the glory days of the 1960s when the club was setting new standards in English football under Bill Nicholson.
Indians had a disappointing outing on the opening day of the track and field events at the Rio Olympics, Vikas Gowda, Manpreet Kaur and Jinson Johnson failing to progress to the next round, on Friday.
Real Madrid reached their 14th European Cup final and crushed Manchester City's hopes of a maiden title after Gareth Bale's deflected effort secured a 1-0 victory in the second leg of their Champions League last four clash on Wednesday.
This and more from the happenings in the world of football
Following is a match by match look at the English Premier League's weekend fixtures:
Manchester City are brimming with optimism with coach Manuel Pellegrini 'absolutely sure' of winning the Premier League title.
Sukanya Verma gives us a recap of the 91st Academy Awards.
It was a wonder that Louis van Gaal's face did not turn as scarlet as his team's shirts.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane struck deep in added time to rescue a 2-2 home draw at home to West Ham United, while Liverpool's top-four hopes were fuelled by a 2-0 win at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.
'If you take a point or even lose, it's not ideal but there are still almost 30 games to go so this result won't be the deciding factor in who wins the title'
Arsenal ended their away hoodoo against Premier League title challengers with a 2-0 victory at Manchester City on Sunday that left Chelsea five points clear at the top.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday
Manchester City's stellar season gathered yet more momentum as the runaway English Premier League leaders reached the League Cup semi-finals with a penalty shootout victory at Leicester City.
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