Everton finally score but still cannot fashion a win

Sheffield United 2 - 2 Everton

Everton were in action at lunchtime today when they could only draw with newly promoted Sheffield United at Bramhall Lane after taking the lead but failing to build on it with yet more missed chances.

Beto, Danjuma and Branthwaite start with McNeil on a heavily depleted bench — only five outfield players instead of eight, with no sign of Michael Keane, Demarai Gray, André Gomes or Lewis Dobbin. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not need surgery on his fractured cheekbone but is still sidelined, while Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli are not expected to be match-fit this month. Vitalii Mykolenko is on the bench after limping off at Doncaster on Wednesday. Jack Harrison is still not fit enough to be considered.

Everton kicked off and Garner was fouled for a free-kick wide right that he delivered poorly. But Everton kept up the forward momentum until they gave up a free-kick but on the whole, it was scrappy until The Blades played some good balls through the middle, winning a corner that was half-cleared. 

Everton looked to build but Young gave the ball away and Branthwaite was deemed to have fouled his man sufficiently for a very early yellow card and Eagan had a free header that Pickford was very grateful to grasp.

Archie was threatening to get free and he put Tarkowski under pressure. Everton tried the outball again down the left and Beto had a snapshot that was deflected off an arm and wide. Onana's header was fumbled by Foderingham and Doucouré was in to tap home at the second attempt. 

A great break was created when Doucouré freed Danjuma but he was a bit selfish, his shot deflected behind with three other players up with him. Beto's speed and determination was impressive. A dreadful giveaway by Gana let Larouci scamper forward and shoot straight at Pickford. 

A good piece of combination play by The Blades saw Pickford down quickly to his left to parry the low shot from Hamer for a corner that was defended well. Everton tried to create space, passing around well enough, only for the ball to end up back with Pickford.  

The Blues were pressing high when they could and trying to force turnovers but decent passing sequences were rare.  Danjuma wanted another chance when he was gifted a ball knocked down by Beto but he shot from too narrow and angle with no guile.

Everton were not clearing their limes and McBurnie was able to tee it up easily for Archer to smash it past Pickford. 

Beto did well to force himself past two players but shot from a stupid angle rather than laying it back; however, it won a corner that caused some threat, less so from the subsequent corner. Beto was really getting involved, Egan coming off worst for trying to stop the big fella. 

Fine play by Doucoure again released Danjuma and again he absolutely wasted it. In the next attack, at least he tried a cross to someone else but it was overhit beyond the far post. So many good moves into the opposition area but too many Everton players making the wrong decisions.

Harmer fouled Gana 35 yards out but Garner played it short and nothing came of it until there was turnover, Hamer playing a clever ball to unmarked Archie who fired onto the post, it bounced back off Pickford's shoulder and into the net. Far far too easy for The Blades to score again. 

A hugely disappointing half for Everton who had finally scored a goal to take the lead but proved incapable of building on it and instead were torn apart far too easily for two very simple goals in return. 

From the restart, Branthwaite took a hit challenging for a high ball. Beto did very well with a brilliant backheel to Danjuma who was dragged back by Ahmedhodzic as he crossed the 18-yard line but no penalty. The referee stupidly drew two shaving foam lines for the wall that easily stopped Danjuma's poor effort. 

A corner was won and a really good delivery from Young skipped off Eagan's head and away.  Beto's speed and acceleration again won out but his cross in was poor, behind for a corner which Beo had to stretch for but didn't get a strong enough contact. 

But this time it was Everton playing the clean slick football for a rare moment, a terrific cross in from Patterson with Danjuma finishing in style from close range at the far post. 

Everton got in a bit of a mix-up Patterson gifting Larouci a shot that he blazed over. Better play got the Blues out of defence and Danjuma all the way to the byeline again but the rapid clearance immediately had Everton under pressure again, Patterson having to give up a corner, that Egan delivered straight to Pickford. 

Larouci fouled Onana as Everton tried to build through the middle, but it was defended clear. Larouci then came off worst against Garner. Danjuma and Doucouré wasted another chance with the ball played straight to Foderingham. 

More slack Everton defending almost gave up another goal, Pickford pulling off a great flailing body save to stop Thomas converting a cross to the far post at close range. 

It was highly competitive, Docucore overstepping the line, barging into Baldock. It was a superb delivery that Branthwaite did very well to clear as McaNeil replaced Garner.

Sheffield were gifted another free-kick but it fell to Robinson who blazed over. Everton tried to work it down the right with crosses in from Young, Danjuma and Onana coming to nothing. 

Basham gave away a foul on Onana very centrally, Young getting his free-kick  over the wall but straight into Foderingham's hands. Everton tried to break but it just came straight back, Branthwaite having to defend. 

Still Everton struggled to fashion decent forward moves but eventually McNeil did well and played in a lovely ball but no-one could get on it. Everton were struggling to get it forward although Beto came close to embarrassing Foderingham on a backpass. 

Beto no longer had the pace to beat his man as the minutes ticked away toward 6 minutes of added time.  Everton tried to work it in but Doucuoré couldn't make a clean pass in the penalty area and The Blades advanced again, Tarkowski blocking a rocket with his head, being forced off by the ref for a concussion check Everton down to 10 men defending the throw-in.

Dyche immediately reacted, putting Godfrey on before the throw-in was taken, and defended clear.  It remained desperately competitive in midfield with everyone scrapping for the ball, Godfrey giving away a late free-kick that Pickford plucked out of the air and launched down the right. 

McNeil wanted to shoot but was blocked. Godfrey wanted to play forward but his pass was horrendous. McNeil tried to break but he seemed impeded. It was very tense as both teams were torn between holding a point and going for a goal to win it. 

S heffield United won a very late corner in minute 90+9, and Pickford made an astonishing double save, first a tremendous header from McBurnie punched up onto the bar and bouncing down, McBurnie then failed to flick the bouncing ball past Pickford. 

Just an incredible end to a game of shockingly poor quality between two struggling teams at the bottom of the Premier League. A 6-pointer? No, just a 2-pointer is all this was worth.

Sheffield United: Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic [Y:49'], Egan (68' Basham), Robinson; Baldock, Norwood, Souza, Hamer, Larouci (67' Thomas); Archer (75' Traore), McBurnie.

Subs not Used: A Davies, Trusty, Bogle, Slimane, Osula.

Everton: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski (90+2' Godfrey), Branthwaite [Y:9'], Young, Gana, Onana, Doucoure [Y:73'], Garner (75' McNeil), Danjuma, Beto.

Subs not Used: Virginia, Lonergan, Mykolenko, Chermiti, Onyango. 

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