Cameron Archer shines on debut in Sheffield United player ratings v Everton

Danny Hall
·5-min read
Initially did well to keep out Doucoure’s effort from close-range with a fine reflex save but unfortunately for United it fell kindly into the Everton man’s path to tap home. Could do little about Danjuma’s equaliser either and in between had little to do in the way of saves, other than what he would see as routine
Initially did well to keep out Doucoure’s effort from close-range with a fine reflex save but unfortunately for United it fell kindly into the Everton man’s path to tap home. Could do little about Danjuma’s equaliser either and in between had little to do in the way of saves, other than what he would see as routine

The big-money striker scored one and had a big hand in United’s other, as his curling shot rebounded off the post and hit Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, before bouncing in.

United came from behind to lead 2-1 after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s close-range opener, but Arnaut Danjuma pounced from close range in the second half to earn a share of the spoils for his side as both points registered their first point of the season.

United came very close to a late winner but Jordan Pickford denied Oli McBurnie twice with an outstanding double save right at the death. Here’s how we rated United’s players...

Linked up beautifully with Hamer for the midfielder’s shot which Pickford saved well. Excelled later in the game in a niggle exchange of play which saw him nutmeg an Everton man and then go for the return man before being barged over by Doucoure
Linked up beautifully with Hamer for the midfielder’s shot which Pickford saved well. Excelled later in the game in a niggle exchange of play which saw him nutmeg an Everton man and then go for the return man before being barged over by Doucoure
Had a very nervy moment when he was penalised for pulling back Danjuma after he got the wrong side of the United man in the second half - the ref gave a free-kick and Everton were convinced it was a penalty, but VAR replays showed it was the correct call to be just outside. Couldn’t cut out the brilliant left-wing cross for Danjuma to level at 2-2 but also kept Beto quiet when he took over in the middle
Had a very nervy moment when he was penalised for pulling back Danjuma after he got the wrong side of the United man in the second half - the ref gave a free-kick and Everton were convinced it was a penalty, but VAR replays showed it was the correct call to be just outside. Couldn’t cut out the brilliant left-wing cross for Danjuma to level at 2-2 but also kept Beto quiet when he took over in the middle
Had a golden chance to put the Blades ahead early on but he headed Norwood’s free-kick at his former teammate Pickford when he had all the time in the world to pick his spot and generate some power. Caused United an injury scare when he went down holding his knee but was OK to continue. Handled the tough test against Beto well in the first half but had a more difficult time in the second against the powerful Everton man. Replaced by Basham
Had a golden chance to put the Blades ahead early on but he headed Norwood’s free-kick at his former teammate Pickford when he had all the time in the world to pick his spot and generate some power. Caused United an injury scare when he went down holding his knee but was OK to continue. Handled the tough test against Beto well in the first half but had a more difficult time in the second against the powerful Everton man. Replaced by Basham
The Scouser took a bit of a chance in the VAR age when he deflected Beto’s shot wide with his elbow high above his head but from the resulting corner, Doucoure tapped the away side ahead from close range. Good range of passing as United looked to play out from the back more than they have done so far, but got a bit over-excited with an effort that sailed over the bar
The Scouser took a bit of a chance in the VAR age when he deflected Beto’s shot wide with his elbow high above his head but from the resulting corner, Doucoure tapped the away side ahead from close range. Good range of passing as United looked to play out from the back more than they have done so far, but got a bit over-excited with an effort that sailed over the bar
Left an early reducer on Garner within the first few seconds of the game to make his mark and was then the coolest man in the stadium as he took his time on the ball inside United’s box before the ball was hoofed clear. Showed some promising moments on the ball but doesn’t fill you with much confidence defensively, with Everton’s second goal another left-wing cross. Looked to be struggling with a knock after being fouled and after trying to continue, limped off to be replaced by Thomas
Left an early reducer on Garner within the first few seconds of the game to make his mark and was then the coolest man in the stadium as he took his time on the ball inside United’s box before the ball was hoofed clear. Showed some promising moments on the ball but doesn’t fill you with much confidence defensively, with Everton’s second goal another left-wing cross. Looked to be struggling with a knock after being fouled and after trying to continue, limped off to be replaced by Thomas
Could have had an early assist when his floated free-kick picked out Egan unmarked in the box but Pickford saved the header. Noticeably turned down the safe, easy option a few times earlier on to make a riskier pass that advanced United up the field, including a lovely ball to Baldock to set up a chance for Hamer and another that sent Archer clear.
Could have had an early assist when his floated free-kick picked out Egan unmarked in the box but Pickford saved the header. Noticeably turned down the safe, easy option a few times earlier on to make a riskier pass that advanced United up the field, including a lovely ball to Baldock to set up a chance for Hamer and another that sent Archer clear.
Another impressing showing from the Brazilian who is getting better by the week as he gets more used to the pace of English football and improves his fitness. Did the simple things very well and used his physicality to good effect against Everton’s midfielders, who could also more than handle themselves
Another impressing showing from the Brazilian who is getting better by the week as he gets more used to the pace of English football and improves his fitness. Did the simple things very well and used his physicality to good effect against Everton’s midfielders, who could also more than handle themselves
Involved from the start, dropping deep into space to receive the ball on the turn and look to make something happen. Popped up all over the pitch, from the edge of his own box to wide on the right, and it was from that position that he manufactured United’s equaliser with a lovely cross to McBurnie which Archer finished off. Some frustrating moments as well, like over-it passes, but that will happen from a player who risks the ball in a bid to make something happen rather than play safe
Involved from the start, dropping deep into space to receive the ball on the turn and look to make something happen. Popped up all over the pitch, from the edge of his own box to wide on the right, and it was from that position that he manufactured United’s equaliser with a lovely cross to McBurnie which Archer finished off. Some frustrating moments as well, like over-it passes, but that will happen from a player who risks the ball in a bid to make something happen rather than play safe
Did excellently to control Hamer’s pass and then lay off to Archer in one movement, and his strike partner matched it with a lovely finish past Pickford. Showed some lovely deft touches and also used his physicality to good effect in both boxes when United had to defend set pieces. Was licking his lips at a late Baldock cross before Robinson got in his way, in his view, to strike it instead. Came so close to a late winner, twice, but Pickford excelled with a superb double save right at the death to keep it at 2-2
Did excellently to control Hamer’s pass and then lay off to Archer in one movement, and his strike partner matched it with a lovely finish past Pickford. Showed some lovely deft touches and also used his physicality to good effect in both boxes when United had to defend set pieces. Was licking his lips at a late Baldock cross before Robinson got in his way, in his view, to strike it instead. Came so close to a late winner, twice, but Pickford excelled with a superb double save right at the death to keep it at 2-2
Had a dream league debut in red and white with a smart finish to drag the Blades level and then a big hand in the goal that put them ahead, his shot cannoning back off the post to hit Pickford and go in. Always looked a threat running in behind on the shoulder before he was replaced by Traore with 15 left
Had a dream league debut in red and white with a smart finish to drag the Blades level and then a big hand in the goal that put them ahead, his shot cannoning back off the post to hit Pickford and go in. Always looked a threat running in behind on the shoulder before he was replaced by Traore with 15 left
Almost made another instant impact after Archer when he replaced Larouci and saw his well-struck shot saved by Pickford, the defender ending up over the Kop advertising hoardings in the process. Looked decent on first glimpse
Almost made another instant impact after Archer when he replaced Larouci and saw his well-struck shot saved by Pickford, the defender ending up over the Kop advertising hoardings in the process. Looked decent on first glimpse
Took the captain’s armband from Egan as he replaced him (Photo: Simon Bellis)
Took the captain’s armband from Egan as he replaced him (Photo: Simon Bellis)
Came on for Archer with 15 minutes of normal time left (Photo: Laurence Griffiths)
Came on for Archer with 15 minutes of normal time left (Photo: Laurence Griffiths)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Cameron Archer of Sheffield United celebrates after Jordan Pickford of Everton (not pictured) scores an own goal and Sheffield United's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton FC at Bramall Lane on September 02, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Cameron Archer of Sheffield United celebrates after Jordan Pickford of Everton (not pictured) scores an own goal and Sheffield United's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton FC at Bramall Lane on September 02, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)