Last minute triple save redeems Pickford after unlucky own goal as Everton draw at Sheff Utd

A last minute triple save redeems Jordan Pickford after an unlucky own goal as Everton draw at Sheff Utd on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides played out an entertaining Premier League game as both sides picked up their first point of the campaign.

Both have endured starts to forget, losing their opening three games so far this season, but neither could snatch the three points at Bramall Lane, two goals each for both.

Sheffield United looked to have started the brighter, but it was the visitors went ahead thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure, poking in a rebound for Everton’s first league goal of the campaign.

The Blades reacted with Jordan Pickford forced to make a sharp save from Gustavo Hamer, before Cameron Archer side-footed in to make it level.

It got even better for Paul Heckingbottom’s side on the verge of half-time as Archer’s effort struck the post before bouncing off Pickford’s behind and into the net.

Everton fought back after the break as on-loan Arnaut Danjuma netted from close range with Nathan Patterson’s cross bagging the equaliser.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, speaking to TNT Sports after the game: “There are a lot of positives in it and a lot of negatives as a team. We went one nil up and they scored two goals, but that’s why the Premier League is the best in world and you cannot take any teams for granted.

“They got a bit of luck on the second goal, but it is a performance we should have got three points from. We knew they were a threat in set-pieces we knew how aggressive Ollie Norwood’s crosses can be.

“I have got to be switched on and I know it was 98 minutes but the manager told us there would be 100-minute games so we never lack concertation and always be on my A game.

“I think we are our own worst enemy and that is what we have got to learn from, apart from the Villa game the three other games, Fulham, Wolves and Sheffield United it has been so tight, but it is those small margins we have got improve on as a team.

“It is a start we have got some fresh air. It is my seventh season the fans just want hard work from us and if you put 100% in they will love you.”

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom speaking to Match of the Day: “Probably a fair result, we can’t grumble because it was a really good game. Disappointed we couldn’t nick the winner at the end, but it was a great save. I always talk about performance with my players and if we play like that I am happy and proud of them.

“The only poor part of the game was the start of the second half, Everton came forward more and got more balls in the box, put us under pressure. Couple of poor decisions in key moments. In the end it could have gone either way.”

On goalscorer Cameron Archer: “The first goal was excellent, from him and the whole team. To fall behind to a set play was disappointing but the size of Everton it is hard to defend sometimes We fought to get back into the game and then got ourselves on top come half-time.”

On whether today was a six-pointer: “It is in a way, because we could have had three points and we didn’t get them. It just shows how hard it is to get points in the Premier League.

“It is a young squad we are trying to bring together and that is why we bang on about the margins and standards. So a point is important. Day by day we have been getting stronger and it took until the end of the window to get where we want to be.”

Everton boss Sean Dyche speaking to Match of the Day:“Whether we deserve a point or not is irrelevant, the fact is that it is a point. Two goals on the road so I am happy with that. It is just the basics soemtimes which are tripping us up, because I felt a lot of the performance was right again.

“Getting into the final third and then finding the key pass and making the right decision, which sometimes we didn’t always get right. Transition was good.

“First half in particular, we were one nil up and then we let them back into the game out of almost nothing. We had a good handle of the game and then they score one and then they get the second, and you are left scratching your head. Two basic principles of the way we play and we get them wrong.

On getting goals for the first time this season: “The chance count has been getting better game by game and was decent again today. We got into some really good areas, and we keep looking a threat but you have to score.

Today we got two goals which is important, to get that lift off and feeling for it. Beto made a difference, worked so hard and so did Arni [Danjuma]. There are positive signs there but we have to make sure we take care of things but today I feel like it is one that got away, we had enough in the game to win.”