Everton player ratings: one 8/10, three 7/10s but several 5/10s in Sheffield United draw - gallery
Will Rooney
·5-min read
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton celebrates after scoring the team's first goal 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)
Everton picked up their first point of the 2023-24 Premier League season as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Arnaut Danjuma were on target for the Toffees in what was a rollercoaster encounter, although there may be some frustration a maiden victory of the top-flight campaign was not garnered against the newly-promoted Blades.
Yet Sean Dyche’s side could scarcely complain, with Jordan Pickford - who netted the unluckiest of own goals - making a stunning double save at the very death.
Made a smart save at his near post in the first half and two solid stops. So unlucky that Archer’s shit hit his back and rolled in. Made a top save from Luke Thomas in the second half to keep the score level. Then simply made a stunning double save at the very death to earn Everton a point. (Photo: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
The game started at a frenetic pace, with Everton soon getting on top and opening the scoring in the 14th minute. Ashley Young’s corner was headed down by Amadou Onana and Doucoure’s first improvised effort was kept out by United keeper Wes Foderingham - but the Mali international swept the rebound into the net.
The Toffees could have gone ahead four minutes later when they broke at pace and had a four-vs-two situation, although Danjuma decided to shoot rather than tee-up a team-mate.
Dyche’s visitors’ tempo dropped, however, and the Blades took full advantage. They were level in the 33rd minute when Cameron Archer was granted far too much space on the edge of the box and fired home.
And in stoppage-time, Everton would fall behind. It was that man Archer again as he weaved past James Tarkowski and saw his curling effort strike the post. However, the ball would rebound off the helpess Jordan Pickford’s back and roll into the empty net.
Put one dangerous early cross in but was caught badly out of position for United’s second goal when drawn to the ball. Atoned for that error with pinpoint cross to set up Danjuma’s equaliser.
The away side came out of the traps quickly in the second period and were almost awarded a penalty when Danjuma was fouled just on the edge of the United box. But it would be Danjuma who’d get Everton level in the 51st minute when he tapped Nathan Patterson’s cross home from close range.
Everton could not calve out any more clear-cut chances while Pickford was called into action to make a fine stop from Luke Thomas.
Then at the very death, Pickford produced a quite simply breathtaking double save to earn the Blues a point. He pushed Ollie McBurnie’s header from a corner onto the bar before then repelling the Blades striker’s rebound.
Here’s how we rated the Everton players.
Made a couple of early tackles but gave McBurnie far too much space to tee-up Archer for United’s equaliser in the first half then didn’t get tight enough to block the shot for the second. Better after the break but came off in stoppage-time with a head injury. (Photo: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Lunged into a challenge that earned him a yellow card in the first half. Didn’t do much wrong otherwise and made when superb clearance in his own box. (Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Whipped in the corner that led to Everton’s opener and offered support going forward.
Neat enough having to again operate as a makeshift right-winger and fouled in the build-up for Danjuma’s goal. Subbed in the 75th minute.
Picked up second balls in the first half but couldn’t quite offer the protection needed. Improved after the break and bravely won the ball that would lead to Danjuma’s equaliser.
Started the game well with a couple of big tackles then towering header led to Everton’s opener. However, put nowhere near enough pressure on the cross for United’s opener. Won Everton a 25-yard free-kick in the second period (Photo: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Kept cool to open the scoring at the second time of asking yet didn’t do much else in the first half. Showed energy in the second period (Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
Wasted a couple of key moments in the first half. Much better after the break, winning a free-kick right on the edge of the box and then bagging his second goal for Everton. (Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Really caught the eye in the opening 45 minutes, using his physicality and running the channels while his blocked shot yielded the corner for the opener. Then played his part in Danjuma’s equaliser with a lay-off for Patterson. A superb Premier League debut especially given he only arrived earlier this week. (Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
Added more craft after his introduction.
Sub 2 - Ben Godfrey - N/A
Arnaut Danjuma of Everton celebrates with teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure after scoring the team's second goal 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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