Sheffield United and Everton earn first points of the season
Three straight defeats, six goals conceded, and none scored - when you’re in a position such as Everton’s, a 2-1 comeback victory against bottom-of-the-Football-League Doncaster Rovers in the often-maligned Carabao Cup is far more of a confidence-booster than it otherwise would be.
Toffees supporters who made the trip to Bramall Lane will have hoped, therefore, that the victory could prove to be a catalyst for a climb up the table and, when Abdoulaye Doucouré gave his side the lead in the 14th minute, turning home Amadou Onana’s header from a corner at the second attempt, there appeared to be positivity in abundance.
Beto, in particular, looked dangerous early on against the Blades, who themselves came into this encounter without a point to their name.
However, his teammates were wasteful whenever they found themselves in threatening positions, and their inability to extend their advantage opened the door for the hosts.
Gustavo Hamer has been a shining light since arriving in Yorkshire from Coventry City, and it was his cross that led to the equaliser shortly after the half-hour mark.
There was still plenty for Cameron Archer to do after running onto Oli McBurnie’s lay-off, but he buried a curling effort into the corner to net on his debut.
When it rains, it pours, and in first-half injury-time, Sean Dyche’s men found themselves behind in comical circumstances.
Archer’s effort from outside the area initially struck the post, but the effort rebounded onto Jordan Pickford’s back and into the back of the net.
That goal had the potential to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, but Everton do at least have Dyche, a man not averse to performing miracles against expectations.
His HT team talk must have inspired his side, as they returned to the field with renewed vigour.
They soon had a reward, too, as Arnaut Danjuma tapped in Nathan Patterson’s searching cross at the back post to level proceedings once more.
Doucoure had a shot saved, while Yasser Larouci blazed over the bar when he should have at least hit the target, but while clear-cut opportunities were at a premium for the rest of the encounter, the energy of the two sides could not be faulted.
The closest either side came to a winner was in the final moments, when Pickford made two stunning stops in quick succession to deny McBurnie.
Much of what has been written about both teams this campaign has been negative, so let’s look at things in a different light - they are now off the mark in terms of points, and based on these displays, neither is a guarantee for the drop as has previously been suggested.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Beto (Everton)
