Sheffield United 2-2 Everton: Premier League – as it happened

  • 9/2/2023
  • 00:00
  • 10
  • 0
  • 0
news-picture

And here’s Louise Taylor on a spectacular result in the Championship Here’s Sam Dalling’s report from Bramall Lane The player of the match is Cameron Archer I’m delighted and excited to see what’s next. I want to keep playing, score goals and go on a journey with Sheffield United. [On the first goal] The gaffer tells me to play off Oli [McBurnie]. He set it off and then it was just instinct. I’m the kind of player who makes runs off other strikers; I think that’s important when you play with two. [McBurnie] was occupying the two defenders and I pulled back a little bit. It was a nice set and I hit it top corner. I scored a few goals in the Championship but I wanted to make that step into the Premier League [and play regularly]. I learned a lot at Villa. I’m settling well; I’m here to score goals and learn. Still want more? Course you do. “I’d say the Premier League Scriptwriters got that one right,” says Joe Pearson. “What a finish!” Full time: Sheff Utd 2-2 Everton Peep peep! That was loads of fun for the neutral, maybe not so much for fans of Sheffield United and Everton. But when the dust settles, both sets of supporters should take encouragement from their performance today. The new centre-forwards, Cameron Archer and Beto, were terrific, and the spirit on both sides is admirable. We know they have limitations, and that they will probably be in a relegation battle until spring, but they certainly aren’t the lost causes that some have suggested. And they are one point close to survival. Here’s what happened with that amazing incident at the death. Norwood’s outswinging corner was met by McBurnie, about 10 yards from goal. His downward header bounced up towards Pickford, who threw himself to his right and pushed it dramatically onto the underside of the bar. I still can’t decide whether it was a brilliant reaction save or whether he should have pushed the ball away rather than onto the bar; my instinct is the former, though I wouldn’t put the farm on it. Either way McBurnie stretched to stud the rebound towards goal, whereupon it hit Pickford’s big daft head – he knew nothing about that one - and deflected onto the inside of the post. Then Pickford, still on the ground, reacted brilliantly to cushion the loose ball with his leg to stop it rolling towards Vinicius Souza (I think) in front of an open goal. And finally, in a moment of the purest relief, Pickford dived on the ball and the game was over. Full time: Sheff Utd 2-2 Everton That was the last action of a pulsating match, which ended with a lovely embrace between McBurnie and Pickford. 90+9 min: Stunning double save from Pickford! My goodness! Norwood’s outswinging corner from the right was met with a firm downward header from McBurnie. Pickford tipped it up onto the bar, then stopped the rebound from close range with his noggin! I think it hit the post as well. That was incredible. 90+8 min In the eighth of six added minutes, Sheffield United win a corner… 90+6 min Hamer’s free-kick is headed across goal and into the arms of Pickford. 90+5 min Godfrey fouls McBurnie, who has had a fine game, just inside the Everton half. That allows Sheffield United to send all the big men forward. 90+4 min This is ragged. Both teams have given everything on a pretty hot day in Sheffield. 90+2 min There will be six minutes of added time. 90+2 min The throw-in is cleared. 90+1 min: Everton substitution Now Tarkowski is crouching just inside the touchline, buying time so that Everton can replace him with Ben Godfrey. They were desperate to get a centre half on because United have a long throw. 90 min Baldock’s cross is met sweetly on the bounce by Robinson, whose shot smashes into the side of Tarkowski’s head. Tarkowski" hits the deck, for about two seconds – but because of that he has to leave the field for 30 seconds. Sean Dyche isn’t amused, nor is he laughing. 89 min Doucoure’s square pass towards Danjuma is crucially cut out by Ahmedhodzic. He looks a good player. 88 min Both these teams have lost to late goals this season, United in each of the last two games, so it will be a savage blow if there is a winner. 86 min Foderingham calmly lobs the ball over the onrushing Beto, prompting a spike in the collective blood pressure around Bramall Lane. United suddenly look really tired and Everton are pushing for a winner. 83 min A weary Sheffield United are starting to look more interested in protecting a point than gaining two more. 81 min Beto has also faded in the last half hour, though I’m not surprise given the effort he puts in. Overall it’s been a very promising league debut. 80 min Young’s free-kick is too close to Foderingham, who saves comfortably. 79 min Basham fouls Onana 25 yards from goal. Ashley Young looks like he fancies rolling back the years. A lot of years. 77 min Neither team has settled for a 2-2, though that may start to happen in the next few minutes. Danjuma’s cross is headed away well by Ahmedhodzic, then Onana overhits a cross towards Beto. 76 min A free-kick is headed away to Robinson on the left edge of the area. He wafts the bouncing ball indulgently over the bar. 75 min: Sheff Utd substitution Benie Traore replaces Cameron Archer, who was much quieter in the second half. In the first he was superb. 75 min: Everton subsitution The fit again Dwight McNeil replaces James Garner. 74 min Hamer’s excellent free-kick is headed away crucially by the stooping Branthwaite. 73 min Doucoure is booked for a foul on Baldock just outside the area on the right. It"s getting pretty frantic now. 71 min: Good save from Pickford! The two wing-backs almost combine to give United the lead. Baldock somehow digs out a cross from the right that takes a deflection off Young and loops dangerously over the head of Pickford. Thomas’s volley from a tight angle is crucially saved by Pickford, whose footwork across the line was excellent, then Hamer’s raking follow-up is blocked in the six-yard box. 69 min “I expected a cagey match between two safety-first teams, but so far each team’s forward line has made their opposing defences look rickety,” says Kári Tulinius. “I may be going on reputation more than fact, but I thought sides coached by Heckingbottom and Dyche would be more solid.”

مشاركة :