02 September 2023 , 15:11
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Everton fans are no strangers to Jordan Pickford’s heroics but at Bramall Lane they were once again indebted to their England 'keeper.
Pickford pulled off a stunning double save in the 99th minute of this nail-biter to twice deny striker Oli McBurnie a winner for Sheffield United. First, McBurnie’s downward header was pushed onto the bar by Pickford who then headed the ball onto his own post in stopping a follow-up effort from the striker.
It was redemption of sorts for the Everton keeper who unluckily scored an own goal in first half injury time in a clash that had the feel of a relegation scrap.
Survival battles aren’t supposed to happen in September, but with both sides pointless after three games the stakes were high. And despite a confident attacking start by Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades it was Sean Dyche who saw Everton draw first blood.
Buoyed by their midweek EFL Cup win down the road at Doncaster, Everton arrived with a spring in their step after new strikers Beto and Arnaut Danjuma grabbed goals.
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But it was last season’s final day hero Abdoulaye Doucoure who delivered again to send Everton ahead. The Mali midfielder struck with a close range 14th minute finish at the second attempt after Amadou Onana’s header from an Ashley Young corner.
United fans had every right to be stunned after seeing their side make a positive start with Dutch international attacking midfielder Gustavo Hamer a real danger. Hamer, a £15 million signing from Coventry, was involved in all United’s build-up play and only a fine stop by Jordan Pickford down to his left prevented the Dutchman equalising after 21 minutes.
But the Blades were level soon after with Hamer crossing from the right to Oli McBurnie who superbly teed up Cameron Archer for a precise finish that left Pickford rooted.
Bramall Lane erupted again in first half injury time as Archer fired a curling shot on to the post, but Everton fans behind the goal then watched in horror as the ball bounced off the upright and into the net off the England keeper.
Everton have England's No.1 - but they're in for a long hard season (Offside via Getty Images)There was no let up in second-half action with both sides looking for goals but it was Everton who gradually gained more control. And they levelled the scores ten minutes after half time with Danjuma bagging for a second time in three days in South Yorkshire with a far post finish from Nathan Patterson’s pin-point cross.
Sadly for Dyche this time it wasn’t the winner - but, thanks to Pickford, it ensured Everton a badly-needed point at the start of a season that already looks like a long-haul for both teams.