Sheffield United 2-2 Everton

Sheffield United 2-2 Everton
Saturday, 2nd September 2023 – 12:30 PM
Premier League

Half-Time: Sheffield United 2=1 Everton

Venue: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 31,124
Referee: Andy Madley

Sheffield United	2
Cameron Archer 33, Jordan Pickford 45 (og)
Everton	2
Abdoulaye Doucoure 14, Arnaut Danjuma 55

Sheffield United		-V-	Everton
Wes Foderingham		1	Jordan Pickford
George Baldock		2	Nathan Patterson
Gustavo Hamer		3	James Tarkowski
Oli McBurnie		4	Amadou Onana
Cameron Archer		5	Arnaut Danjuma
John Egan		6	Beto
Anel Ahmedhodžić	B	7	Abdoulaye Doucoure	B
Oli Norwood		8	Ashley Young
Jack Robinson		9	Idrissa Gueye
Vinicius Souza		10	Jarrad Branthwaite	B
Yasser Larouci		11	James Garner
Substitutes
Chris Basham for John Egan		67mins
Luke Thomas for Yasser Larouci		67mins
Benie Traoré for Cameron Archer		75mins
		75mins	Dwight McNeil for James Garner
		88mins	Ben Godfrey for James Tarkowski
Unused
Adam Davies			Joao Virginia
Auston Trusty			Vitalli Mykolenko
Jayden Bogle			Youssef Chermiti
Anis Ben Slimane			Andy Lonergan
Will Osula			Tyler Onyango
Managers
Paul Heckingbottom		–	Sean Dyche

Match Report

Both Sheffield United and Everton earned their first point of the new Premier League season in an entertaining fixture, screen on live TV. The visitors had taken the lead via Abdoulaye Doucouré before a Blades rally saw the hosts take the lead through debutant Cameron Archer, who was responsible for both goals. The Toffees equalised early in the second half through Arnaut Danjuma’s easy tap-in, and despite struggling to cause their opposition real concern, both the crossbar and post prevented the hosts from grabbing a winner!

New signing James McAtee was unveiled prior to the game after he completed his second season long loan from Manchester City. However, he wasn’t registered in time to face Everton. New #10, Archer, was handed his debut following his permanent transfer from Aston Villa, whilst full-back Luke Thomas was handed a place on the bench following his arrival from Leicester City on loan.

Blades boss, Paul Heckingbottom, made three changes from the side whilst lost to Manchester City. Including Archer, Oli McBurnie and Yasser Larouci were handed starts in the Blades XI. For the visitors, boss Sean Dyche handed a league debut to new striker, Beto, whilst former Blades forward, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, was absent through injury.

The game began with a nervy side as the visitors pressed the final third but failed to test keeper Wes Foderingham. United created their first chance om goal after 9 minutes. Jarrad Branthwaite was booked following a nasty foul on Gustavo Hamer, Oli Norwood’s delivered free kick saw John Egan’s header comfortably saved by stopper, Jordan Pickford. Moments later, Hamer played in Archer, but James Tarkoswki did enough to avert any danger.

Everton took the lead on 14 minutes though lacklustre defending – scoring their first league goal of the season. The Toffees were presented with a corner after Jack Robinson blocked Beto’s initial effort. From the resulting set-piece, Onana rose highest to head at goal, Foderingham was spectacular in diving and spooning off the goal-line, but an unmarked Doucoure had time and space to despatch with the simplest of ease.

Moments are taking the lead, the visitors threatened to double their advantage but after a slip, Egan was well positioned to block Danjuma’s effort. At the other end, United threatened as Yasser Larouci saw his effort easy collected by Pickford whilst, after excellent link up play between George Baldock and Hamer, the latter’s low strike was destined for the bottom corner but Pickford’s low dive, frustratingly, kept the Blades at bay.

United deservedly took the lead on 33 minutes following spectacular footwork from McBurnie. After Hamer’s cross found the Scottish International, the former Swansea striker laid the ball to the feet of Archer and his powerful shot proved unstoppable.

Prior to the break, Beto played in Danjuma, but Foderingham was quick off his line to smother following a heavy touch. United struck again four minutes into stoppage-time. Hamer proved to be the catalyst as he instrumentally hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the path of an onrushing Archer and, after getting the better of Tarkowski, his effort cannoned off the foot of the post before bouncing back off Pickford and landed in the empty net.

For the first time this season the Blades were ahead in a Premier League fixture, but their lead lasted ten minutes into the second half before Everton restored parity. The visitors had threatened prior to bundling the ball into the net. There was a VAR check for a possible penalty after Danjuma’s progress was halted unfairly by Ahmedhodzic but, after the check, a free kick outside the area was awarded.

United was again guilty of lacklustre defending as the visitors levelled on 55 minutes. Nathan Patterson got the better of Larouci on the right-flank and his low cross across the box was slammed home unmarked at the far post by Danjuma.

The Blades hit back in an attempt to re-gain the lead, Baldock saw his cross partially cleared but Larouci sliced over the top. Heckingbottom opted for a double change on 67 minutes – as Thomas and Chris Basham replaced Larouci and Egan, who had picked up a knock. Thomas, making his debut, almost became an instant hit when he volleyed Baldock’s deflected cross at Pickford.

With fifteen minutes remaining. Archer exited to a standing ovation for Benie Traore. Both sides hushed and harried in the remaining minutes of the game, including the six minutes of added-on time, where United almost added a third. In what proved to be the last action of the game, from Norwood’s corner, McBurnie’s header looked goal-bound, but Pickford produced a world-class save to tip the ball twice onto the woodwork to ensure that the scores remained all-square.