Everton 1-0 Sheffield United – Report | OneFootball

In a tightly contested match at Goodison Park, Everton secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Sheffield United, thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s seventh Premier League goal of the season. Despite a spirited performance from the visitors, it was Everton who emerged victorious in this close-run contest on Merseyside.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder made two changes to his side for the penultimate game of the Premier League season, with Vinicius Souza and Yasser Larouci returning to the starting XI. Max Lowe also returned to the matchday squad after a lengthy absence.

Lineups

Everton: Pickford, Tarkowski, McNeil (Andre Gomes 69, Warrington 90), Onana, Calvert-Lewin (Chermiti 79), Doucoure (Dobbin 69), Young, Coleman, Gueye, Branthwaite, Garner.

Unused: Virginia, Keane, Danjuma, Beto, Godfrey.

Blades: Foderingham, Trusty, Hamer, Archer (Brewster 80), Brereton-Diaz, Robinson, Bogle, Souza, Arblaster (Curtis 63), Larouci (Lowe 55), Brooks (Slimane 55).

Unused: Grbic, Norwood, McAtee, Osula, Sasnauskas.

First half

Both teams had early chances, with Jack Robinson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin testing the opposition keepers. Dwight McNeil provided a dangerous cross for Doucoure, who failed to convert from close range. Doucoure later had another opportunity, but his effort was denied by a superb save from Wes Foderingham.

However, Doucoure finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute after good play from Calvert-Lewin.

Cameron Archer seized an opportunity, cutting in from the left flank, but unfortunately curling his effort wide of the far post. As the first half progressed, Jordan Pickford’s swift reflexes were put to the test, first denying Archer’s attempt with a timely intervention off his line, and then thwarting Andre Brooks’ angled shot with a decisive save, showcasing his prowess as England’s number one goalkeeper.

Despite United’s resilience, Everton maintained their lead going into halftime.

Second half

The second half saw United pushing for an equaliser, Brereton-Diaz found himself in a promising position on the edge of the penalty area, but his attempt sailed high and wide, failing to trouble the Everton defence.

Sheffield United began to grow in confidence, with Cameron Archer seeing an effort blocked by James Tarkowski. And then a slick attacking move threatened to expose Everton’s defence, but Vinicius Souza’s deep cross eluded everyone in the box, denying United a clear-cut opportunity to level the score.

In the final stages of the game Cameron Archer and Gustavo Hamer came close to scoring. However, Everton’s defence held firm as Hamer’s header flew over the bar, and Archer dragged a shot wide in the 80th minute and that was his final act of the day as he made way for the returning Rhian Brewster.

Toffees substitute Chermiti showed flashes of quality to create a couple of half chances for himself but he couldn’t find the target with his efforts after skipping away from a couple of United’s defenders.

Ultimately, it was Everton who claimed all three points, leaving Sheffield United rooted to the bottom of the table. After failing to keep yet another clean sheet in the Premier League the Blades have broken an unwanted record – they’ve become just the second side to have conceded 101 goals in a Premier League campaign (Swindon Town in 1993/94 being the other).