Doucoure shines for a stress-free Everton

RAYS of sunshine beamed by the banks of the Mersey and beers were going down smoothly in Liverpool L4. This match had next to nothing riding on it, but that in itself made for a glorious afternoon at Goodison Park.

For now, at least, gone are the days of nail-biting games to end the season. Last year, Premier League survival for Everton was not confirmed until a final-day win over Bournemouth, the year before victory against Crystal Palace in the last home outing.

But thanks to Sean Dyche’s steady leadership, Everton came into this match with safety already in the bag — that despite an eight-point deduction. Just 19 league matches remain at this grand old stadium, so this could well have been the last stressfree day here.

Everton fans were in good voice and there was no sign of the players treating this as a friendly, especially when Blades captain Jack Robinson clashed with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Toffees, though, kept up their fine form as Abdoulaye Doucoure’s first-half goal sent them on their way to a fifth win in their last seven — Dyche looks like a strange omission from the manager-of-the-year shortlist.

‘The bar for next season is making sure we safeguard this club in the Premier League,’ Dyche said. ‘This is a building process.’

Doucoure, who played impressively throughout, got the winner on the half-hour mark with a close-range header from a cross by Calvert-Lewin.

Chris Wilder’s men grew into the game, but it was not enough.

The Sheffield United manager said: ‘If I get given the opportunity to take the team forward, my team will fight, play, run, have belief and confidence. It’s a tough division.’

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford 7; Coleman 6.5, Tarkowski 6.5, Branthwaite 7, Young 7; Gueye 6.5, Onana 6.5; Garner 6, DOUCOURE 7.5 (Dobbin 69min, 6), McNeil 6 (Gomes 69, 6; Warrington 90+5); Calvert-Lewin 7 (Chermiti 79).

Booked: Calvert-Lewin.

Manager: Sean Dyche 7. SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Foderingham 7; Souza 6, Trusty 5, Robinson 6.5; Bogle 6, Hamer 6.5, Brooks 6 (Slimane 55, 6), Arblaster 7 (Curtis 63, 6), Larouci 6 (Lowe 55, 6); Archer 6 (Brewster 81), Brereton Diaz 6. Booked: Robinson, Arblaster. Manager: Chris Wilder 6.

Referee: Stuart Attwell 5.