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Everton must blunt Blades to keep run going

By Matt Townsend

Everton's English defender Michael Keane (C) vies for the ball with Sheffield United's Dutch striker Richairo Zivkovic (2R) during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, northern England, on July 20, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English defender Michael Keane (C) vies for the ball with Sheffield United's Dutch striker Richairo Zivkovic (2R) during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, northern England, on July 20, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After a frustrating and lethargic defeat to Manchester United last night in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, Everton face Sheffield United on Boxing day needing to keep their Premier League winning run going.

In some ways this match is a tough one to call. On paper Everton should certainly win the game, but after the disappointment of last night and given how tired the Toffees players looked they might really struggle after so many games in succession.

Also the Blues have a nasty habit of tripping up against teams like Sheffield United as we’ve seen all too often on the past.

The big question over players and selection will be whether Brazil forward Richarlison will be able to play and if James Rodriguez is fit.

In Richarlison’s case it didn’t look likely given he suffered a head injury against United but the player himself has been tweeting saying he’s okay so fingers crossed.

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But if for some reason like Premier League regulations he can’t play, then for the umpteenth time Carlo Ancelotti will have to reshuffle his pack to accommodate an injury to a key player. Let’s hope that’s not the case on Saturday.

If Rodriguez is healthy again – probably unlikely- then I guess he will come straight back in for Alex Iwobi. Actually Iwobi would have some justification for feeling a little unlucky as although he wasn’t great last night (no one in an Everton shirt was) he has played well in the previous league games.

As for the rest of the team, I mentioned in the Carabao Cup match review that it might have made sense to rest a few players for the game against the Blades.

And although I would on balance prefer him to stick to the side that won the last three Premier League games for continuity against most upcoming opponents, I think Ancelotti will give Seamus Coleman another game as he obviously needs match fitness and will either move Mason Holgate into midfield or bring Tom Davies back as I can’t see Andre Gomes getting another game on Saturday.

He will probably also reason that the Toffees don’t need to be as defensively robust against a team that has struggled to score goals all season, as they were against Chelsea and Leicester.

As for Sheffield United they have had a miserable season after doing so well in the last campaign. This was the almost inevitable classic second-season syndrome.

The Blades have only managed two Premier League draws all season long losing every other game. Unfortunately for Chris Wilder’s side, they are propping up the table and look a virtual certainty to be relegated. Based on that form alone Everton should be pretty much a shoe-in for the points.

However, as the last few weeks have shown football doesn’t work like that. Who would bet the Blues won’t go and lose at Brammell Lane and then beat Manchester City afterwards!

But after last night’s result I think the Toffees really need a solid performance and all three points on Saturday to consolidate their position in the top four especially with the ‘tougher’ match against Manchester City coming up next.