Sheffield United 2-2 Everton: Arnaut Danjuma earns point for visitors, Cameron Archer scores for hosts

Sheffield United and Everton contested an entertaining Premier League draw as both sides picked up their first point of the campaign.

The two teams have had wretched starts, losing their opening three games this season, but they could not be separated at Bramall Lane, sharing four goals in an enjoyable lunchtime game.

Sheffield United had started the brighter but it was the visitors who took the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure, poking in a rebound for Everton's first league goal of the campaign.

United responded well with the dangerous Gustavo Hamer forcing Jordan Pickford into a sharp save and they got their reward as Cameron Archer side-footed in to finish off a slick team move.

It got even better for Paul Heckingbottom's on the stroke of half-time as Archer's arrowed effort hit the post before ricocheting off the unfortunate Pickford and into the net.

But Everton hit back after the break as on-loan Arnaut Danjuma converted from close range via Nathan Patterson's cross to the back post to salvage a point for Sean Dyche's men.

United were inches away from a dramatic winner in the 99th minute, but Oli McBurnie's header was somehow pushed on to the crossbar by Pickford at full stretch, with the goalkeeper recovering to divert the follow-up on to the post.

Point apiece fair result

Expectations weren't high before this game as United, who had the lowest average number of shots per game in the top flight this season, took on an Everton side that had failed to find the net in their opening three league games.

But both teams displayed fight and grit to grind out a result that helps them alleviate building pressure after a poor start to the campaign.

Midfielder Doucoure, whose winning goal against Bournemouth on the final day of last season saved Everton from relegation, got their first of this term by clipping home from close in after his initial effort was saved by Wes Foderingham. It ended his side's run of 316 minutes without a Premier League goal.

United have been tipped as one of the favourites for relegation but signalled once again they won't by pushovers by showing plenty of heart, as they did in defeat by champions Manchester City last Sunday.

The £18m man Archer was central to the play in the final third, caressing in a fine finish for his first goal since moving from Aston Villa, and it was his superb curler that hit the woodwork and went in off Pickford.

But they failed to hang on as Danjuma's well-taken finish at the far post drew the visitors level, though they could have won it late in injury time when McBurnie's was somehow denied by Pickford.

New signing Beto led the line with effectiveness for Everton, pressing the opposition defence and holding the ball up, but could not add a goal that his performance deserved.

The two sides return to action on 16 September after the international break, with United travelling to Tottenham and Everton hosting Arsenal.

Player of the match

ArcherCameron Archer

Sheffield United

Squad number10Player nameArcher

Squad number8Player nameHamer

Squad number9Player nameMcBurnie

Squad number18Player nameFoderingham

Squad number2Player nameBaldock

Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza

Squad number12Player nameEgan

Squad number6Player nameBasham

Squad number14Player nameThomas

Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic

Squad number19Player nameRobinson

Squad number16Player nameNorwood

Squad number27Player nameLarouci

Squad number11Player nameTraoré

Everton

Squad number14Player nameBeto

Squad number1Player namePickford

Squad number10Player nameDanjuma

Squad number16Player nameDoucouré

Squad number32Player nameBranthwaite

Squad number7Player nameMcNeil

Squad number6Player nameTarkowski

Squad number8Player nameOnana

Squad number27Player nameGueye

Squad number18Player nameYoung

Squad number37Player nameGarner

Squad number2Player namePatterson

Squad number22Player nameGodfrey

Line-ups

Sheff Utd

Formation 3-5-2

18Foderingham

15Ahmedhodzic12Egan19Robinson

2Baldock21de Souza Costa16Norwood8Hamer27Larouci

9McBurnie10Archer

Substitutes

Everton

Formation 4-4-1-1

1Pickford

2Patterson6Tarkowski32Branthwaite18Young

37Garner27Gueye8Onana10Danjuma

16Doucouré

14Gomes Betuncal

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Everton 2.

Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Everton 2.

Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner.

Attempt saved. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross.

Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Ashley Young.

Foul by Dwight McNeil (Everton).

Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. Dwight McNeil (Everton) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathan Patterson.

Foul by Ben Godfrey (Everton).

Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Substitution, Everton. Ben Godfrey replaces James Tarkowski because of an injury.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury James Tarkowski (Everton).

Attempt blocked. Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by George Baldock with a cross.

Foul by Ashley Young (Everton).

Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Offside, Sheffield United. Oliver Norwood tries a through ball, but Oliver McBurnie is caught offside.

Offside, Everton. Ashley Young tries a through ball, but Arnaut Danjuma is caught offside.

Ashley Young (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United).

Source Link