The Toffees late-season flourish continues as Sean Dyche and company get a 5th consecutive win and clean sheet at Goodison Park.Â
Following the 1-1 draw at Luton, Everton were back in the friendly confines of Goodison Park on Saturday to take on Premier League cellar-dwellers Sheffield United for the final home match of the 2024 campaign. Seamus Coleman started and was named captain for the match, manning the backline alongside Tarkowski, Branthwaite and Ashley Young. James Garner started on the right wing due to Jack Harrison’s injury, Dwight McNeil retained his familiar role on the left wing and a midfield three of Idrissa Gueye, Onana and Doucoure played behind Calvert-Lewin up top.
Everton started the match very brightly, playing with a freedom and lack of edge that has been something of a rarity in the last couple of seasons. Calvert-Lewin featured prominently early on, dominating in the air and creating chances on the front line. The number nine created a great chance in the 13th minute, exhibiting fantastic forward play as he brought down a brilliant ball forward and broke down the right side. He played the ball back across to Doucoure in the box who found himself one on one with Foeringham in goal but was somehow denied from close range.
It was only more Everton dominating that would follow the opening flourish and the toffees would indeed be rewarded for their sterling start in the 31st minute. McNeil started the move with a great ball to Calvert-Lewin down the touchline, and the move finished with a beautiful weighted cross from DCL right onto the head of Doucoure who only had to head in from close range. It was a silky move from Everton and a well deserved goal contribution for Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure, putting Everton up 1-0.
Another moment of note in the first half came in the 36th minute, as United’s Jack Robinson shoved DCL to the ground following an exchange of words. The push was reviewed for violent conduct and deemed only a yellow, with the interaction somehow resulting in Calvert-Lewin receiving a yellow as well. Following the incident, the visitors got a touch more involved in the match and create a chance in the 40th minute. Cameron Archer got on the end of a ball from Brereton Diax forcing a good save from Pickford who had had little to do in the 40 minutes prior.
Lewis Dobbin and Andre Gomes would make second half appearances for the toffees, each coming on in the 69th minute. Yousseff Chermiti got a 15 minute run-out and highly rated prospect Lewis Warrington was brought on late in stoppage time after Andre Gomes picked up a knock. It was a second half that didn’t contain the same level of intensity it might be said from the hosts, but Everton once again did well to limit chances even though United saw more of the ball then they did in the opening 45.
Five clean sheets to go with five victories in a row at Goodison Park to end the 2024 campaign will definitely give the squad a big dose of confidence heading into a tough final match against Arsenal and heading into next season. The blues would be on 48 points and sat 11th in the table if not for deductions, and even with the 8 point drop sit 15th on 40 points. A huge achievement for the Premier Leauge’s manager of the month in April, who has turned Everton into one of the most stout defenses in England with the second most clean sheets in the top flight.
UTFT!
Leave a Reply