Everton: 3 best goals of 2020, including Calvert-Lewin’s Superman jump

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal was the winner against Sheffield United.

3. Gylfi Sigurdsson against Sheffield United

It was Everton’s last match of 2020 on 26 December at Bramhall Lane against a Sheffield United team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and desperate for the points.

Everton had huffed and puffed for the first 80 minutes, but had failed to blow the Blades’ wall down.

Enter Captain Gylfi Sigurdsson, who along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin had both came close to breaching the Blades’ defence.

As the match seemed to tick down to the seemingly inevitable 0-0 draw, Sigurdsson struck.

Seamus Coleman chipped the ball in the Blades’ box, a headed clearance started to fall towards Bernard, who cushioned and passed the ball, before it hit the ground, to Abdel Doucoroye. Doucoroye played an angled pass as Sigurdsson ran on to it and drilled his shot into the bottom left-hand corner after taking a touch to control it.

Sheffield United ‘keeper could do little to stop the well-placed shot.

This was another team goal for Everton, but different, somewhat less flashy than some of Everton’s early goals this season.

In addition to a team goal, this was a squad goal as substitutes Bernard and Coleman played integral roles in the goal.

And what of Sigurdsson? It seemed likely the Iceland international’s days at Goodison were numbered early in the season as new signings and a new formation pushed Sigurdsson down the pecking order. His 2019-20 season had been poor at best and despite his ability, he hadn’t been able to have much creative input for Everton.

After hitting double-figures in goals in his second season at Goodison. Sigurdsson followed up with just two league scores in 35 appearances. As season 2020-21 started, the new signings forced Sigurdsson to the substitutes’ bench and as Everton got off to their flashy start, it seemed he was part of an old regime.

Injuries forced changes and Sigurdsson was able to claw his way back into the first XI. This was Sigurdsson’s second league goal in 14 appearances and it was indicative of how Carlo Ancelotti could use his squad to keep Everton winning.