Jordan Pickford’s last-ditch heroics save Everton in tense Sheffield United draw

And then they had one. Belatedly, following an action-packed lunchtime showing, Sheffield United and Everton – holders of a cumulative nil points after their opening three Premier League games – have something to show for their efforts.

Both led – Everton first through Abdoulaye Doucouré, and United via a Jordan Pickford own goal; both equalised – Cameron Archer first for the hosts, Arnaut Danjuma for the visitors; both trailed. It was as breathless as it sounds.

There was an odd tension, a tetchiness too, one often felt in the sunshine of May, but rarely in September. Miss-placed passes – of which there were plenty – were met with groans. Bluster a plenty, little glimpses of control but no real assertive dominance.

In the end though, both Sean Dyche and Paul Heckingbottom had something, at least something, to point to after a sub-optimal start to the season. And with the transfer window now closed, both can spend the upcoming international break focused solely on those present, rather than those who soon may or may not be.

Positives? Yes, particularly from the men who gave both sets of supporters that unique frisson of excitement that only a new goal-scorer can bring. For Everton, Beto a £26m acquisition from Udinese. For Sheffield United, Cameron Archer, a £18m buy from Aston Villa. Relatively, these clubs find themselves shopping in the basics range, but there still a level of expectation that it will be money well spent. Early signs point to customer satisfaction.

Everton’s Arnaut Danjuma equalises against Sheffield United. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images/Reuters

In Archer – and indeed Gustavo Hamer – United acquired a pair of the second-tier’s footballing delights of last season (albeit they are simply replacements for another pair, Sander Berge and Iliman N’Diaye). Hamer is all spark and a little bite. A pair of early mazy forays down either flank stirred a crowd, and the ease with which he and Archer combined was promising.

Hamer was instrumental in United’s equaliser, itself the game’s one extended moment of beauty. His whipped ball was controlled perfectly by Ollie McBurnie, whose layoff was equally on the money. Archer’s curled finish was sublime. It screamed “natural goal-scorer”.

There was a tad more fortune (or, for Pickford, misfortune) to the goal that nudged United ahead in first-half stoppage time, though. Not from Hamer’s initial over-the-shoulder ball to Archer, nor from the subsequent curled 25-yard effort that hit a post’s base. No, it was when Everton fans saw the rebound bounce off Pickford’s back and over the line, that only a wry smile would do.

What must they have thought? A little more than half an hour had passed since Doucouré had given them an early lead. For that, kudos to Beto, who earned the corner that allowed Doucouré to thrust his knee at Amadou Onana’s header. Despite being wrong footed, Wes Foderingham’s firm palm deserved really to keep United ahead. Alas, the loose ball left Doucouré with an invitingly simple finish.

Finally, Everton could celebrate. 317 league minutes after Doucouré’s previous strike, he had another. The problem? None of his teammates had managed to do likewise in the time between.

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Beto had already given a little on-field insight into his abilities in a come-from-behind midweek cup victory at Doncaster, and here he enjoyed a superb full debut. The Portugese has a strange ability to be both languid and powerful, to provide a focal point but also act as playmaker, to combine willpower with skill.

Of the latter, there was a backheeled flick to find Danjuma that was as unexpected as it was dashing, a burst of pace down the right had Jack Robinson treading treacle, and then a round the corner pass for Nathan Patterson. From that, Patterson’s low cross was met by Danjuma to equalise.

Then, right at the last, redemption for Pickford: a point-blank double save ensured Everton left with something. And breathe.