Everton wins final home match of Premier League season against Sheffield United

On Saturday afternoon, Everton defeated Sheffield United 1-0 at Goodison Park in their last Premier League home game of the season.

After the first half hour, the Toffees seized the lead when Abdoulaye Doucoure headed home following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s superb forward movement to drag keeper Wes Foderingham out before finding his teammate with a precise left-footed cross.

Everton has now won five straight home games without allowing a goal, equaling their Premier League record.

The match marked Everton’s final home game of the season, and the Toffees had won all three of their previous games at Goodison, whereas Chris Wilder’s visiting Blades had already been relegated, sitting 20th in the Premier League.

Sean Dyche, once again wearing a tracksuit, made two changes to his starting lineup from the previous game against Luton Town, replacing Ben Godfrey and the injured Jack Harrison with captain Seamus Coleman and Amadou Onana.

A peaceful first few minutes were seen in a comfortable mood inside the stadium, with spectators on the Gwladys Street End hiding their eyes behind Pickford’s goal while enjoying a bright afternoon at the match.

Calvert-Lewin’s early half opportunity was the only notable moment for either team in the opening ten minutes, as the striker cut inside from the right channel and sent a bouncing ball at Foderingham as he approached the opposing penalty area.

On 13 minutes, the forward had another opportunity. This time, he was picked out by a long pass over the top of the Blades’ defenders and brought the ball down well. Calvert-Lewin dragged it back across the six-yard box, slipping in Doucoure, whose first-time shot was stopped close in.

Everton maintained their lead, dominating the ball and seemed unconcerned about the opponents throughout a rather quiet opening half hour.

In the 31st minute, Calvert-Lewin scored the first goal for the Blues. McNeil found the Everton player with a precise through pass, and while running towards the left side of the penalty area, he dragged Foderingham out of his goal.

With the custodian off his line, Everton’s number nine crossed into the box and guided the ball to Doucoure’s head, who gave the Toffees the lead.

Only five minutes later, the visitors’ irritation became apparent, with Blades captain Jack Robinson losing his cool and slamming Calvert-Lewin to the ground after the two competed for an aerial duel. Both were scheduled for their participation in the disagreement.

Jordan Pickford was called into action just before halftime, rejecting Andre Brooks, who had created Sheffield United’s first dangerous moment of the game.

In stoppage time of the first half, James Garner delivered a looping cross to the back post, where Doucoure returned a header across goal that nearly found the far corner. That was the final action of the opening session, which concluded with the Blues maintaining a well-deserved lead.

Everton has prevented the opponent from scoring a first-half goal in 24 of its 37 games this season, second only to Arsenal (25) in the Premier League.

The match’s languid tempo continued into the second half, as neither team had a clear-cut chance in the first 15 minutes after the restart. However, the visitors appeared to be gaining confidence, while Everton seemed to be losing their comfortable grasp on the game.

Dyche made a double substitution midway through the half, bringing in Andre Gomes and Lewis Dobbin for McNeil and striker Doucoure.

Back-to-back Sheffield United’s corners tested the Toffees’ backline, but the home side defended excellently to withstand the pressure.

On 78 minutes, Garner moved forward before shooting a low effort just wide of the far post, and Everton made a third change to their lineup, bringing on striker Youssef Chermiti for important minutes. Calvert-Lewin’s replacement was 19 years old.

The Portuguese looked slick, making quick moves behind the opposition defenders before, on 87 minutes, taking his man on and blasting just over the crossbar in an audacious effort.

A head injury to Gomes shortly before stoppage time prompted Everton to make another change, with the midfielder replaced by 21-year-old Lewis Warrington, who made his league debut for the Toffees.

Holding on to their one-goal lead, the Blues cruised through the final few seconds to complete their home campaign with a fifth consecutive victory.

After the final whistle, Everton’s players did a lap of thanks around the pitch to thank the supporters for their unwavering support all season.