Everton 1 Sheff Utd 0: Doucoure’s goal enough for Toffees as relegated Blades’ dismal season nears end
SEAN DYCHE and his players smiled and waved after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s strike gave them a fifth successive home win.
That stunning run, the start of which paved the way towards salvation, meant the Toffees could head off through the sunshine on their lap of appreciation happy and content.
The victory also marked the fifth time in row that victory was achieved without conceding a goal – a Prem club record.
The question of how many of Dyche’s team will still be there in August for the start of the last season at Goodison Park, however, was the cloud that still hung over the old place.
The financial crisis gripping the club while 777Partners’ £500M takeover bid lies in tatters, will almost certainly mean some will be sold.
And seven players’ contracts are about to come to an end, including that of iconic skipper Seamus Coleman.
As boss Dyche admits the situation facing the club has “not been joyous” which is why maybe the home fans knew, as they waved back in muted fashion after the final home game of the season, that the hard times for their club are really only beginning.
It was hardly a surprise that the action lacked a certain edge and on the part of the Blades, especially.
But Dominic Calvert-Lewin might have plundered his fifth goal in six games inside three minutes.
Lax defending, the type that doomed Chris Wilders’ side right from the start of the campaign that began with predecessor Paul Heckingbottom in charge, allowed the striker a decent opportunity.
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He popped his shot straight into the clutches of Wes Foderingham but ten minutes later the former Sheffield United attacker set up a perfect opportunity for Doucoure.
Calvert-Lewin produced a brilliant curving run onto James Garner’s through ball then set up the chance on a plate for the midfielder.
But the Mali international delayed pulling the trigger for a millisecond just seven yards out and Foderingham spread himself well to parry.
The next time Doucoure confronted the goalkeeper he gave himself no chance.
Calvert-Lewin was allowed to charge forward unmarked, found by Dwight McNeil’s deliciously – weighted pass.
Foderingham dashed right and out of his goal and left himself for dead as DCL flicked the ball around his dive and crossed.
This time Doucoure could not miss with a three – yard header, Foderingham conceding the 77th goal of his league campaign, the Blades surrendering a Prem record 101st.
Little wonder that Wilder watched on with a slightly glazed look in his eyes.
He has to create a whole new squad in the summer with 17 players either out of contract or heading back to their home clubs at the end of their loan spells.
The manager may well have been wondering where and how to start trying to put some of the pieces together in what will be a massive re – build.
His side should have been down to ten men, too, soon after Doucoure’s seventh goal of the season as skipper Jack Robinson completely lost his head.
He took offense to a nudge on him near the dug – outs from Calvert-Lewin, turning to shove him to the ground with a two- fisted push.
Referee Stuart Attwell forged his way through the ensuring handbags melee to book Robinson with VAR Graham Scott taking a hard look.
Yet to the utter disbelief of nearby Dyche, no further action was taken other than a booking also for Calvert-Lewin for what was later explained as “adopting an aggressive attitude”.
An attitude, perhaps, that might have done the Blades some good though-out the campaign that has now registered 27 defeats, none more anonymous than this one.