Sheffield United 2-2 Everton: Strugglers play out thrilling draw with Arnaut Danjuma scoring second-half equaliser, as Jordan Pickford double save rescues Toffees point despite his bizarre own goal

Jordan Pickford simply cannot stay out of the spotlight.

The England goalkeeper made up for a comical own goal with a superb triple-save at the end of the game, helping Everton avoid a fourth successive defeat.

When Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie headed in from six yards out in the ninth minute of extra time, Pickford flew to the right and pushed the ball onto the crossbar. That was impressive enough, but Pickford topped it by quickly recovering and blocking two more follow-up attempts.

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom called it ‘an unreal save’ and his counterpart Sean Dyche said: ‘Jordan made a brilliant save and it makes you realize how crazy football can be. We could have lost the game, which would have been unfair.

“There have been some question marks, but it shows what a top goalkeeper he is. Every player is questioned and that should be an incentive. He was very unlucky with their second goal and his all-round performance was very good.

“He is a top goalkeeper who knows his way around the Premier League and on the international stage. Goalkeepers and central defenders are often the ones who get better with age. The longer you play, the wiser you become.’

Working full time Dyche could feel relieved and Pickford was certainly happier than an hour earlier.

Cameron Archer had already marked his competitive debut for Blades by undoing Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener, when his curling effort hit the post in stoppage time of the first half. Pickford ducked left and was distraught as the ball rebounded off the post, hitting him on the head and bouncing back into the net.

Horace Danjuma had eased Pickford’s pain by leveling Everton shortly after the restart, but it was the goalkeeper who made the save.

Crystal Palace were the only team in Premier League history to start a season with four consecutive defeats and, although they recovered to stay afloat in 2017-18, such a run would have darkened the skies over Goodison Park.

While both sides ended streaks of three straight defeats here, they remain winless and have done little to indicate they can avoid a protracted relegation battle this season.

“It’s a useful point because we played well and scored two, but it’s frustrating that we conceded two soft goals,” admitted Dyche.

“It was a good performance on the road overall.”

Blades paraded James McAtee onto the pitch for kick-off after returning to the club on loan from Manchester City and the home side created the first chance when John Egan’s header was saved.

Moments later, Gustavo Hamer let go of Archer on a loose pass from Danjuma, forcing James Tarkowski to save Everton with a well-timed block.

It proved to be a crucial intervention as Everton took the lead in the 14th minute.

After Beto’s effort had turned around the post, Amadou Onana headed from Ashley Young’s corner to Doucoure’s knee and appeared to creep into the corner.

Wes Foderingham did well to keep the ball out, but the ball again fell to Doucoure, who jabbed it home.

It was a messy game, with both sides making mistakes on the ball, and Everton could have taken the lead further when Onana robbed Hamer and released Danjuma. The Dutchman shot when he should have put Beto on the field on his league debut and Everton had to settle for a corner kick.

At the other end, Pickford turned Hamer’s shot around the post before Blades equalized just after the half-hour mark.

Hamer’s cross fell to the ill-marked McBurnie, who did well to save Archer for a first finish.

Things got even better for Archer in the stoppage time of the first half. The striker collected Hamer’s clever volley and, although his curling ball hit the post from the edge of the box, it bounced back into the net off the hapless Pickford’s head.

Dyche was furious at the start of the second half when Blades defender Anel Ahmedhodzic was only booked for pulling Danjuma back just outside the box on his way to goal.

To make matters worse, Danjuma slammed the free-kick into the wall, but he and the Everton fans were soon smiling.

Beto passed Nathan Patterson up the right and when the full-back delivered the cross, Danjuma was rewarded for his excellent movement as he tapped into the far post for the traveling supporters.

Although the level of the competition was poor overall, there was a lot of excitement. Everton’s uncertain defense gave Yasser Larouci the chance to shoot high and wide.

Blades hired Luke Thomas from Leicester last week and the left-back nearly claimed a debut goal shortly after replacing Larouci, but Pickford was able to save his volley from close range. Hamer’s low stakes on the follow-up were blocked before Pickford’s stunning late contribution.