Dyche's Everton continue fine form with win over Sheffield Utd
The Toffees started brightly as Abdoulaye Doucouré spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock inside the opening 15 minutes at Goodison Park.
The midfielder could only fire straight at the onrushing Wes Foderingham after being teed up by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, Doucouré ultimately made amends when he linked up with Calvert-Lewin again to give the Toffees a 31st-minute lead.
The Everton forward showed great composure to take the ball around Foderingham, before lofting it across for Doucouré to nod into an empty net and score against Sheffield United for the second time this term.
After conceding their 101st league goal of the season, the Blades threatened to restore parity when Andre Brooks drove inside onto his left foot before forcing Jordan Pickford to make a strong stop.
As the top-flight’s lowest scorers, Sheffield United returned from the HT break knowing they had their work cut out to break down an Everton side that began the weekend with the fourth-best defensive record in the division.
The hosts showcased their defensive resilience to negotiate a period of Sheffield United pressure in the opening stages of the second half.
While Everton looked comfortable, James Garner attempted to add the insurance of a second goal when he fizzed a right-foot shot past Foderingham’s far post.
The cagey contest ultimately petered out to an uneventful conclusion, ensuring Sean Dyche’s troops could celebrate their eighth home league win of the season.
The 15th-placed Toffees will wrap up their campaign against title hopefuls Arsenal, while the Blades will face Tottenham Hotspur before they begin preparations for the Championship.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton)
