May 11, (THEWILL)- Everton picked up a 1-0 victory over relegated Sheffield United at Goodison Park, on Saturday, courtesy of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s seventh English Premier League goal of the season. The Toffees were already assured of safety heading into the contest, yet they extended their positive run of form against the bottom-dwellers.
Doucoure had a host of chances in the first half before breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute after good play from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Ben Brereton Diaz looked lively for the visitors in the second half, however, he could not inspire a comeback for Chris Wilder’s side, who will finish the season at rock bottom 20th place.
Everton produced flowing football from the go. Dwight McNeil’s floated delivery to the back post should have led to a goal after he found the head of Doucoure in space in the 11th minute, yet the midfielder failed to divert his effort into the net from a few yards out. Minutes later, Doucoure was presented with another clear-cut chance as he arrived one-on-one from Calvert-Lewin’s cutback, but Wes Foderingham produced a superb stop.
The opening goal arrived in the 31st minute after Calvert-Lewin latched onto a through ball from McNeil before rounding the goalkeeper, picking out Doucoure inside the box to head into an empty net. Brereton Diaz went close on a couple of occasions after the break as the Blades chased an equaliser, while Cameron Archer dragged a shot wide in the closing stages.
Everton’s unbeaten run now stands at five games, with four wins and a draw since their 6-0 loss to Chelsea. Meanwhile, Sheffield United have conceded 101 EPL goals this season, just the second side to reach triple figures in a single campaign after Swindon in the 1993/1994 campaign.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
