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Sheffield United 2 Everton 2: Blues cling on for first point

By Matt Townsend

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Jordan Pickford of Everton makes a save during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton FC at Bramall Lane on September 02, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Jordan Pickford of Everton makes a save during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton FC at Bramall Lane on September 02, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) /
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Everton finally secured their first point and scored their first goals of the season as they drew 2-2 with Sheffield United at Brammell Lane yesterday.

Three points would obviously have been better but at least the Toffees avoided another defeat and moved off the bottom of the Premier League.

However, if it hadn’t been for Jordan Pickford producing another exceptional double save right at the end of the match in added time, Everton would have left South Yorkshire without a point.

There were some significant positives from Saturday’s draw, most especially the performance of Beto on his Premier League debut.

The Portuguese striker was a constant threat and gave the Blues attack a genuine focal point. He didn’t score but showed the sort of attacking quality that this team has badly lacked for so long.

At last it looks as though the Toffees don’t have to rely on the almost permanently injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin to lead the line.

Everton in fact were the better side overall and took the lead with Abdoulaye Doucoure scoring their first league goal of the campaign after three consecutive blanks.

However, Sheffield United hit back before then scoring again after the ball bounced in off the woodwork and Pickford’s back to give the home side a half-time lead.

After the break the Blues continued to be better team with a strong second half display but for a while it didn’t look as though they would find any more goals until Nathan Patterson put in a terrific ball which Arnaut Danjuma converted to make it 2-2.

So at last Everton have got off the mark in this season. But, this draw still leaves questions to be answered by Sean Dyche’s men.

In particular, there are still a lot of issues defensively with too many easy chances for opponents and soft goals being conceded.

Again yesterday afternoon United were essentially gifted chances by a lack of concetration and poor decison-making at the back.

When he came in Dyche was reckoned to be a coach who would shore up a leaky defence but ironically while the Toffees attacking play has improved under the former Burnley coach, defensively the Blues have declined. The manager needs to find solutions and fast.

The other related major problem that was hihghlighted by the game, was the lack of depth in the squad Dyche had available, a situation made worse by transfer window departures. 

His bench was seriously lacking in numbers and options and this is very concerning with such a tough and demanding campaign ahead.

Hopefully, with an international break coming up key injured players like Dwight McNeil and new signing Jack Harrison will all be fully fit and available for selection when Everton take on Arsenal on 16 September.