Premier League Match Report (20/07/20): Sheffield United 0-1 Everton
The Premier League's ninety-two remaining games, spread across nine rounds of games are set to play out beginning June 17th 2020, with Project Restart's health and safety conditions meaning the remaining games of the season will be played out behind closed doors. We will be providing match reports from these behind closed doors competitive encounters as the league campaign nears its end-game. All aboard.
Match Report (GW37): Sheffield United 0-1 Everton
Sheffield United hoist Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton, with both clubs vying to end the season strong. The Blades still have hope of a place in next seasons Europa League, as Chris Wilder’s side put out a strong team to do reach that next step.
The game felt like it was always simmering from the first whistle, and Everton in the first half had the lion share of most of the attacking play. Typically, Sheffield United defended well to limit chances which were few and far between in the first half. Andre Gomes set Calvert-Lewin through on goal in the 24th minute but the young Englishman couldn’t match the pace of the ball, but Everton were creating more spaces with players making darting runs to stretch the Blades defence.
The Toffees could have gone into the break a goal ahead, as Everton were putting pressure on with a corner. Theo Walcott collects the clearance and delivers a cross to the back post, the cross hung perfectly in the air for Calvert-Lewin who gets his head on the ball but is only able to hit the post before half-time was called.
Everton picked up where they left off, attacking the game, and in the first minute their patience paid off when Richarlison latched onto a Sigurdsson deep cross in the first minute of the second half, angling it away from Henderson and into the net for the lead. Henderson would be disappointed as he got his fingertips on it. McGoldrick nearly levelled things in the 49th minute when he connected with a Basham cutback, but his shot was well blocked by Branthwaite inside the box.
The rest of the game had a disjointed flow as substitutes came into the game. Sheffield United did attack the Everton box but were constantly denied by their defence’s discipline. Everton had the best chance since the Richarlison goal in the final ten minutes. Andre Gomes in the 81st minute from outside the box lashed a shot that just went wide of the post. Everton kept flashing the ball across Henderson’s box but there is never anyone there to meet it. Based on the run of play Ancelotti will be frustrated they didn’t win by a bigger margin.
Everton’s win is their first in five games. For Sheffield United that was ninety minutes of football that means The Blades own European fate is outside of their control.
Everton Contributions
Goals: Richarlison (1)
Assists: Sigurdsson (1)
Man of the Match: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
A first start for the January signing showed just why Everton have been good at picking up and showcasing young talent over the years. Branthwaite looked comfortable all game next to Michael Keane at the heart of defence, and even made the crucial block for McGoldrick’s hunt for a quick equaliser. Sheffield United did cause the Everton defence a few problems and they did target the debutant thinking he was the weak link but were left frustrated by his composure.
Brathwaite’s passing was also highly effective, he wasn’t scared to play the ball into midfield, and helped Everton dominate most of the game. Everton’s defence was the difference today. At the age of 18, Branthwaite has a bright future ahead of him.
SHU 0-1 EVE - Insight and Analysis:
Watching Everton is usually, well, a grind on the human soul at times. Surprisingly though, Everton were the more aggressive team in this fixture and played the better football. Sheffield United afforded them this mantle in the game as they like to absorb pressure, and for the better part kept out the Toffees but were conceding more chances as the game developed. The first goal of the game, scored by Richarlison in the first minute of the second half, will infuriate Wilder who prides his team on being aggressive in aerial challenges. Everton forced the gear change at the beginning of the second half and nobody could take away the merit of their lead.
The game was watchable, but from the outlook this game only ever had one goal in it based on the teams respective defensive styles of play.
Matchday Line-ups:
Venue: Bramell Lane
Sheffield United:
Manager: Chris Wilder
Formation: 3-5-2
GK: Dean Henderson
LWB: Enda Stevens
CB: Chris Basham (Zivkovic 83')
CB: John Egan
CB: Jack O'Connell
RWB: George Baldock
CDM: Oliver Norwood (Lundstram 69')
CM: Ben Osborn (Sharp 60')
CM: Sander Berge
ST: David McGoldrick
ST: Ollie McBurnie (Fleck 60')
Substitutes:
Simon Moore, Phil Jagielka, John Fleck, John Lundstram, Billy Sharp, Kieron Freeman, Callum Robinson, Leon Clarke, Richairo Zivkovic
Everton:
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Jordan Pickford
LB: Lucas Digne
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
CB: Michael Keane
RB: Djibril Sidibé
CDM: Andre Gomes
CDM: Tom Davies
CAM: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Coleman 88')
LM: Richarlison
RM: Theo Walcott (Gordon 84')
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Substitutes:
Martin Stekelenburg, Leighton Baines, Alex Iwobi, Bernard, Seamus Coleman, Neves Virgínia, Beni Baningime, Anthony Gordon, Ellis Simms
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