In his first goal-scoring outing since his £18m transfer from Aston Villa, Cameron Archer lit up Bramall Lane for Sheffield United.
Neither Sheffield United nor Everton had any points on the board going into this match, having both suffered a trio of losses at the outset of the season. Yet, the duel at Bramall Lane ended up being a high-energy draw with both teams splitting the spoils in a thrilling midday match-up.
Everton drew first blood, courtesy of Abdoulaye Doucoure, who netted the Toffees’ inaugural league goal this season by capitalizing on a rebound.
The Blades weren’t to be outdone, though. Gustavo Hamer tested Everton’s Jordan Pickford with a stinging shot, setting the stage for Archer to side-foot home a well-crafted team goal.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom couldn’t have scripted it better when Archer almost pulled a Robin Hood, striking the post just before the interval. The ball bounced off an out-of-luck Pickford and found its way into the net.
Post-halftime, Arnaut Danjuma, borrowed from Villareal, slid one past Sheffield’s goalie off a Nathan Patterson cross to even the score for Sean Dyche’s Everton squad.
Late in the match, drama was served up on a platter. Oli McBurnie’s header was astoundingly nudged onto the woodwork by Pickford, who then miraculously deflected the follow-up shot onto the post as well.
A Point Well Earned for Both Sides
Low expectations greeted both teams at kick-off. Sheffield United had been firing blanks in terms of shots, while Everton had yet to tickle the twine in three league matches. Nevertheless, each side displayed a never-say-die attitude, churning out a draw that relieves some of the mounting tension following their less-than-stellar season start.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, the hero who saved Everton from dropping down a league last season, ended a 316-minute Premier League goal drought with his close-range strike, initially saved by Sheffield’s Wes Foderingham.
Sheffield United, often cited as likely candidates for relegation, showed their mettle, much like their recent loss against reigning champions Manchester City. The £18m acquisition Archer took center stage, driving home a stunning shot and rattling the woodwork in a goal that took a lucky bounce off Pickford.
Danjuma’s skillful finish evened the scales for Everton, although they were a whisker away from a loss when McBurnie’s header was astonishingly deflected by Pickford.
Everton’s new guy Beto was a powerhouse up front, pressuring Sheffield’s backline and proving to be a strong link in possession, even if he failed to put his name on the score sheet.
After a breather for international fixtures, Sheffield United will face off against Tottenham on September 16, while Everton will welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park.
Player Ratings
Sheffield United
- Cameron Archer: 7.46
- Gustavo Hamer: 6.64
- Oli McBurnie: 6.33
- Wes Foderingham: 6.24
- George Baldock: 6.19
- Vinicius Souza: 5.94
- John Egan: 5.89
- Chris Basham: 5.86
- Luke Thomas: 5.85
- Anel Ahmedhodzic: 5.81
- Callum Robinson: 5.79
- Oliver Norwood: 5.72
- Yasser Larouci: 5.61
- Bertrand Traoré: 5.50
Match Stats
- Possession: Sheffield United 45%, Everton 55%
- Shots: Sheffield United 13, Everton 16
- Shots on Target: Sheffield United 8, Everton 6
- Corners: Sheffield United 4, Everton 6
- Fouls: Sheffield United 11, Everton 13
Gear up, folks. After the international break, these teams are back with what promises to be a rip-roaring continuation of the Premier League season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sheffield United vs Everton 2-2 Draw
Who scored the goals for Sheffield United and Everton?
Cameron Archer scored for Sheffield United, while Abdoulaye Doucoure and on-loan Arnaut Danjuma netted for Everton.
What was the final score of the match?
The final score was a 2-2 draw.
Who was the player of the match?
Cameron Archer was the player of the match with an average rating of 7.46.
How did the goalkeepers perform?
Jordan Pickford for Everton had a significant impact, particularly in a late-game save that denied Oli McBurnie a winning goal. Wes Foderingham was also solid, saving a close-range effort from Doucoure before the rebound was scored.
Were there any notable moments in the match?
Yes, late in the match, Oli McBurnie’s header was miraculously pushed onto the crossbar by Pickford, adding late-game drama that left fans on the edge of their seats.
What’s next for these teams?
After the international break, Sheffield United will be playing against Tottenham on September 16, while Everton will host Arsenal.
What was the pre-match expectation?
The expectations were low for both teams, given that neither had won a match this season. Sheffield United had the lowest average number of shots, and Everton hadn’t scored a league goal until this match.
Who was the standout new player?
Cameron Archer, who recently transferred from Aston Villa for £18 million, made his mark by scoring a goal and rattling the woodwork in a move that resulted in another goal.
What were the player ratings?
Cameron Archer led with a rating of 7.46, followed by Gustavo Hamer at 6.64, and Oli McBurnie at 6.33, among others for Sheffield United.
What were the match stats?
Everton had a slight edge in possession with 55% to Sheffield’s 45%. Everton had 16 shots to Sheffield’s 13, but both had comparable shots on target and fouls.
More about Sheffield United vs Everton 2-2 Draw
- Premier League Official Website
- Sheffield United vs Everton Match Highlights
- Player Ratings on WhoScored.com
- Season Stats on ESPN
- Post-Match Interviews on Sky Sports
- Everton’s Season Performance on BBC Sport
- Sheffield United’s Season Outlook on Goal.com
- Cameron Archer’s Player Profile on Transfermarkt
- Arnaut Danjuma’s Loan Deal Details
- Latest Premier League News on The Guardian
10 comments
GG Sheffield, Danjuma saving the day for us. thought we were doomed after that second goal. We need to up our game for Arsenal.
Was watchin this on a 4K OLED and the picture quality was as crisp as Pickford’s save. But man, what a match!
My son keeps mimicking Archer’s goal celebration lol. He’s got a new hero it seems. Great match!
Archer was the MOTM for me, but Hamer’s also showing some promise. Future’s looking bit brighter for Sheffield.
Honestly both teams need work. A draw’s better than a loss but we’re far from outta the woods. Survival’s gonna be tough this season.
Doucoure breaking the no-goal curse. About time! but we need more from the rest of the squad.
This match had more twists than a Christopher Nolan film. Pickford’s save in the 99th min was like a Hollywood climax, unreal!
Wow, what a game! edge of my seat till the end. Pickford’s save was insane!! Archer’s gonna be a star, mark my words.
did anyone see the possession stats? 55-45 in our favor but we still couldnt get the win, smh Everton.
Finally a point on the board, lads! Archer is a gem, totally worth the 18 mill. Coulda won tho, ref was a bit dodgy IMO.