Everton were victorious on boxing day after a scrappy affair with bottom of the league Sheffield saw Gylfi Sigurdsson continue his fine run of form with a fine finish into the bottom left corner.

The first half lacked any real quality from both sides amidst the wet and windy conditions cast upon Bramall Lane with Calvert-Lewin coming closest for the away side with a speculative volleyed attempt. Oliver Burke was close to giving the hosts the lead with an effort from a tight angle at the end of the half.

The second half was more positive for the Blues as more chances were being created for the likes of Sigurdsson and Iwobi as well as the influential performances of Tom Davies and Bernard off the bench. The better team eventually scored through some neat work from Bernard and Doucoure set up the Icelandic number ten to apply the finishing touch.

Tom Davies had a point to prove after receiving a starting place and the midfielder took it in his stride, looking composed on the ball, moving it forward and generally looking solid in the middle of the park. Another man who needs a mention is Gylfi Sigurdsson who has been influential to Everton’s recent winning streak adding experience, superb deliveries and technical ability to a defensively-oriented Everton side that have conceded just once in the last four games.

The back four deserve praise yet again for their consistent solidity and chemistry that has formed between them with all four looking more assured and dominant when it comes to dealing with danger. Ben Godfrey in particular looks like a player who has been playing for years in an Everton shirt, growing in confidence in every game and even starting to add offensive runs into his game. The £20m paid to Norwich in the summer is quickly looking like a steal.

Despite many fans bemoaning the style of play that Everton have adopted over the last four games, Ancelotti’s side have picked up twelve out of twelve points against some tough opposition. In addition to this, the Toffees are missing four of their best players in Allan, Lucas Digne, James Rodriguez and Richarlison which explains the lack of fluidity on the attacking end. 

With these injuries, Carlo has been forced to rotate and rely on new personnel and out of it has come adaptability. The hope for fans is that, when the team is fully fit, we’ll be treated to the exciting attacking play we saw in the first five games whilst maintaining the defensive resilience we’ve seen in the last four.

Player Ratings:

Jordan Pickford – 7

Ben Godfrey – 7

Michael Keane – 7

Yerry Mina – 8

Mason Holgate – 7

Tom Davies – 9 (MOTM)

Abdoulaye Doucouré – 7 

Gylfi Sigurðsson – 8

Alexander Iwobi – 6

Anthony Gordon – 6

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7

Subs:
Andre Gomes – 6

Bernard – 8

Coleman – 6