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Everton finally broke their season’s goal drought and secured their first point by playing to a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Brammell Lane.
While three points would have been preferable, the Toffees managed to avoid another defeat, which allowed them to climb out of the Premier League basement.
However, their escape from defeat was almost thwarted in the dying moments of added time when Jordan Pickford pulled off an exceptional double save to salvage a point for Everton.
Saturday’s draw brought several notable positives, particularly the Premier League debut of Beto, the Portuguese striker. He posed a consistent threat and provided the Everton attack with a genuine focal point, even though he didn’t find the net. This display showcased the attacking quality that the team has sorely lacked for an extended period. It appears that Everton may no longer be entirely dependent on the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin to lead their forward line.
In fact, Everton generally outperformed their opponents, taking the lead through Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goal, which marked their first league goal of the season after three consecutive scoreless matches. Nevertheless, Sheffield United struck back, equalizing and then taking the lead after the ball rebounded off the woodwork and Pickford’s back.
During the second half, Everton continued to dominate proceedings, although it seemed they might not find the back of the net again until Nathan Patterson delivered an outstanding cross that Arnaut Danjuma converted to level the score at 2-2.
In summary, Everton finally put points on the board this season with the draw. However, this result still raises questions for Sean Dyche’s team. Specifically, their defensive performance remains problematic, with opponents being granted too many straightforward scoring opportunities and the team conceding soft goals.
Ironically, when Dyche took over, he was expected to solidify the defense, but while Everton’s attacking play has improved under his tenure, their defensive capabilities have regressed. The manager faces a pressing need to find solutions promptly.
Another major concern highlighted by the game is the squad’s lack of depth, exacerbated by departures during the transfer window. The bench was notably short on both numbers and options, which is troubling given the arduous and demanding campaign that lies ahead.