Match Report

Everton finally got off the mark with their first goals and point of the Premier League campaign but it took a brilliant save from Jordan Pickford deep into bafflingly long stoppage time to ensure that the Blues left Bramall Lane with a 2-2 draw.

Sean Dyche’s men had given up the first-half lead given to them by Abdoulaye Doucouré and went into the half-time interval 2-1 down to Sheffield United thanks to what was, at times, their cavernous midfield and sloppy defending but Arnaut Danjuma’s second goal in four days was enough to salvage a point.

Beto made his full debut and impressed leading the line but Dyche will rue some missed opportunities in the first period and be angered by the refusal by the horrendous Andy Madley and Video Assistant Referee Simon Hooper to award Everton a second-half penalty.

The manager had no more new faces added to his squad before last night’s transfer deadline but he was at least able to name Dwight McNeil as a substitute for the first time this season following his return from injury.

Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Ashley Young and Idrissa Gueye returned to the line-up after either being rested or only used off the bench for the Carabao Cup tie at Doncaster Rovers in midweek and the Blues made a spirited start.

However, it was the Blades who had the first chances when John Egan’s back-post header was saved and an awful pass by Danjuma was intercepted and Tarkowski had to make an excellent saving tackle to deny Cameron Archer.

Everton’s first real chance eventually yielded the opening goal with a quarter of an hour gone. Beto’s shot deflected wide off Jack Robinson’s arm and, on another day, might have yielded a penalty but the referee only awarded a corner.

Young drove the resulting set-piece to the back post, Amadou Onana headed it down and though Wes Foderingham got a hand to the ball after it had bounced off Doucoure’s knee, he could only palm it back to the midfielder who knocked it home.

Three minutes later, it really should have been 2-0 as Everton raced away in a four-on-two breakaway but Danjuma elected not to square it to a team-mate, went for goal himself and Egan got a crucial block to divert the ball wide of goal.

Another dreadful cross-field pass, this time by Gueye, was cut out but Pickford was on hand to save, as he was a minute later with a superb one-handed stop at his near post to turn Gustavo Hamer’s effort behind.

At the other end, Danjuma profited from an error by Robinson but shanked a left-foot shot wide and four minutes later the visitors were pegged back. A cross was allowed to come in from the right by Onana, it fell invitingly to Oliver McBurnie with his back to goal who laid it off for Archer to sweep wide of Pickford and bulge the net.

Beto forced a corner trying to squeeze a shot inside the post from a seemingly impossible angle in the 36th minute and eight minutes after that, the powerful striker played Danjuma in behind the full-back but the Dutchman’s heavy touch took it into the keeper’s arms, spurning a great chance to retake the lead.

It would prove costly because two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Sheffield United took the lead. Just as they were at Villa Park a fortnight ago, Everton were opened up all too easily down the middle where Hamer hooked the ball over his shoulder to Archer who bent a shot that rattled off the post and bounced back into the goal off the unwitting Pickford’s head.

Everton responded to their dual set-back well when the teams came back out for the second half and Beto romped away immediately after the restart but dragged a left-foot shot well wide of goal.

The Portuguese then found Danjuma with a sumptuous back-heel that allowed the latter to drive towards the box where his progress was stopped by a visible pull on the shoulder by Anel Ahmedhodzic that appeared to carry on into the box. Madley only awarded a foul on the edge of the box, though, and Hooper failed to recommend the penalty that the rules state should have been given and Danjuma could only drive the free-kick into the defensive wall.

Another potential spot-kick went un-awarded a few minutes later when Branthwaite’s shirt was practically pulled over his head by his marker and Beto’s header dropped wide but Everton were level again soon afterwards.

Beto laid off a forward pass to Nathan Patterson and the Scot delivered a teasing first-time cross to the back stick where Danjuma arrived to deftly convert from close range.

Doucouré had a tame shot easily saved and Young fired a direct free-kick straight at Foderingham at one end while Patterson got away with a poor clearance straight to Lanoucie when he skied a shot into the stand and Pickford was in the right place to repel Luke Thomas’s volley at the back post.

McNeil replaced James Garner with a quarter of an hour to go but Everton had largely run out of steam and ideas by this stage and it was the home side who carried the greater threat in the closing stages.

Tarkowski was forced off after taking a shot full in the face at close quarters to be replaced by Ben Godfrey but a succession of dead-balls launched into the Toffees’ area seemed to have been dealt with as the game dragged three minutes past the five originally signalled by the fourth official.

That gave the Blades one more chance to swing in a corner from their right that McBurnie with a firm downward header that was heading for the back of the net before Pickford reacted superbly to first push it onto the crossbar, then deny McBurnie from the rebound with his head while prostrate on the ground and then pounce gratefully on the loose ball.

The result represents what may prove to be a valuable point for Everton and there were plenty of encouraging signs from an attacking standpoint but the Blues remain worryingly vulnerable from a defensive standpoint, an area on which Dyche will need to work during the international break before the visit of Arsenal in two weeks’ time.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

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. 

Michael Kenrick

Match Preview

Everton are in action at lunchtime today when they take on newly promoted Sheffield United at Bramhall Lane with a squad weakened by yesterday's departures on transfer deadline day.

No longer sitting rock bottom of the Premier League thanks to Luton's defeat last night, the task for Everton under Sean Dyche with the limited group of new players he has for selection now set, the biggest obstacle to progress continues to be ongoing injuries. 

Dwight McNeil was back in training on grass this week and may pass a late fitness test along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin who did not need surgery on his fractured cheekbone, while Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli are not expected to be match-fit this month. Vitalii Mykolenko is unlikely to be available after limping off at Doncaster on Wednesday. Jack Harrison is still not fit enough to be considered.

Hopefully Beto has shown Sean Dyche enough to be given his Premier League debut from the start, with his energy and pace coupled with the enterprise shown by Arnaut Danjuma the key ingredients that have been woefully absent from Everton's dismal attack. 

In defence, Sean Dyche continues to call upon his old Burnley favourite, Michael Keane, despite worrying idiosyncrasies from the error-prone centre-back, with Ashley Young not being as effective as was hoped for, and Nathan Patterson continuing to show cause for concern, with the Blues incapable of keeping a clean sheet.  

Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes remain registered as Everton players but their participation in the matchday squad seems doubtful. 

Tom Davies joined Sheffield United after turning down a new contract at Everton but he has yet to appear for The Blades after making the subs bench for just one game so far. 

Kick-off: 12:30 pm, Saturday 2 September 2023
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Darren England

Last Time: Sheffield United 0 - 1 Everton

Michael Kenrick

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