Verdict from Joe Thomas after Everton's clash with Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday
For so much of this season the US group has had a high-profile presence in the directors box of the club it has been trying to take over for eight months. Figures were in attendance as recently as at Luton Town, the club’s last match before the visit of Sheffield United.
A threadbare squad consisting of the remnants of troubled seasons and two relegation battles that went to the wire has, under the management of Sean Dyche, overcome late sales, injury crises, ownership uncertainty and eight points of deductions spread across two unprecedented Premier League prosecutions.
This match lacked the intensity and drama that has been a consistent theme of home games across recent seasons. There was little riding on it, so that was of little shock. But Everton were the better team and that was pleasing. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was excellent. In the opening minutes he cut in from the right and shot straight at Wes Foderingham. Later in the first half, he should have claimed an assist when more neat work allowed him to play in Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The game fizzled out as a contest in the second half. Sheffield United were the better side and showed more intent for most of it, but were unable to create the clear cut chances to punish Everton. The hosts, meanwhile, needed the introduction of Youssef Chermiti to inject some momentum into their attack. He fired narrowly over from the edge of the box and poked a one-on-one straight at Foderingham from an angle as he again showed signs of real potential.
Alongside Coleman, Andre Gomes, Ashley Young, Idrissa Gueye and Warrington are out of contract while Arnaut Danjuma, again an unused substitute, is unlikely to return to Everton after a difficult loan spell from Villarreal. Jack Harrison, absent through an injury that will also keep him out of the trip to Arsenal, could end up back on Merseyside depending on talks between Everton and his parent club, Leeds United.
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