BELEAGUERED EVERTON BOSS RAPS MOODY BLUES

MARCO SILVA had called for his Everton players to be “ice men” in the face of criticism.

Instead he was left to bemoan a nervous performance as the Toffees melted against Sheffield United.

Everton suffered their first home Premier League defeat in seven months, just days after Silva called for a “wall of ice” around the club to keep out criticism following the 3- 1 loss at Bournemouth.

Silva is wary of sparking a crisis with his words, but if they don’t find consistency then a crisis will always be around the corner.

Chris Wilder’s side arrived with a game plan to contain Everton, and the Toffees came unstuck as they failed to win a game they’ve fallen behind in under Silva for the 21st time in the league.

“We don’t have reasons to play nervous after seven months without losing at Goodison Park,” said Silva. “You cannot handle normal pressure if you’re so nervous. We come from six wins in a row at home, and the last seven months we did not lose there. It is difficult for me to find reasons why we played nervous for 60 minutes after the goal.

“We have to work more and more on it. We have to show strong personalities inside.” ide.”

Former Everton hero ro

Phil Jagielka (inset, right, , with Michael Keane) was afforded a loud round of applause when his name was read out on his return to o Goodison.

But his introduction just after the hour mark for the visitors would be the only bright note on a bad afternoon for the hosts.

Yet it was the Blades’ defence which was busiest early on, with Richarlison firing over after finding some space.

Everton were prodding but not penetrating the visitors’ defence, yet still looked in control. But only until five minutes before the break, when a corner from Oliver Norwood was missed by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford under pressure from Callum Robinson. The ball bounced off Yerry Mina’s shoulder and into the net, much to the joy of the travelling support.

The incident was reviewed by VAR but the goal was allowed despite the challenge on Pickford. “It was a foul but we have to respe respect the decision of the ref referee,” said Silva.

Somehow Wilder’s side were leading at the break despite not having a single shot, and it wasn’t until the 7 73rd minute that the vis visitors registered their f first l legitimate attempt. But, soon after, their first shot on target would secure the win.

John Lundstram slotted in Lys Mousset with a superb pass and Pickford hesitated as he came out, allowing the Blades substitute the space to slot under his legs.

New Blades owner Prince Abdullah said this week that he will bring the club to a “bigger and better” place.

Being the first team to beat Everton at Goodison Park since Manchester City in February may not have been what was on his mind but it was certainly ainly a good start. United have ve now drawn at Bournemouth th and Chelsea and beaten Everton erton – five huge points on the road.

But Wilder was not ot that impre ssed with the th e performance. “With the he ball, that’s possibly as poor as s we have done this season,” he said. id.

“We turned it over cheaply. Everyone thought promoted oted sides would be getting points s at home, but we are bucking the trend.

“We are the first team am to win here since Manchester r City but I’m sure there are teams who have come here and played better etter than us and not got a result.”