Everton 2 Sheff Utd 0

The second part of an away day double header saw the blades travel to Merseyside to take on the blue half of Liverpool. The toffees have enjoyed a good start to the season with David Moyes spending big in the summer and to good effect. Both Joleon Lescott and the free-scoring Andy Johnson made the starting line up as Everton reverted to 2 up front with James Beattie re-instated to the starting eleven.

The blades were looking to edge further away from the drop zone following a recent upturn in form which had seen them take 4 points from their last 2 games. Neil Warnock picked the same team for the third consecutive game as the blades persisted with the 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 formation that had brought them their recent success.

The away team came out of the traps the quicker, with Everton's patchy current form clearly playing on their minds. Typical industrious play saw Kazim Richards force stand in right back Phil Neville back towards his own goal early on but chances were again at a premium.

As the game settled down Everton began to pass the ball with more confidence, the impressive Arteta seemingly the catalyst. It was to be the Spaniard who both made and scored the opening goal after Simon Davies won possession from Mikele Leigertwood in the middle of the park. Davies fed the ball into Arteta who in turn sent Phil Neville away down the right flank. Neville crossed over a sublime ball into the 6 yard box where Arteta rose majestically to power the header past the rooted Paddy Kenny with only 13 minutes gone.

Controversy surrounding a definite push by serial pain in the backside Andy Johnson on Claude Davis who would have surely cleared the cross was to provide Warnock with his first real premiership rant – and his ammunition against referee Dermot Gallagher was to grow as the game progressed.

With the blades on the ropes somewhat, Everton seized control and could have added to their tally through James Beattie who missed the target with rasping drive that flew over the bar.

The pressure told on 30 minutes when Andy Johnson, whose pace was a real threat all day, found himself clear of the blades back line. Claude Davis gave chase before the smooth headed England striker went to ground with the kind of gamesman ship that is ruining the English game. Needless to say the pathetic Dermott Gallagher gave the penalty, sent off Davis and might as well have given Johnson a little kiss at the same time.

The penalty was dispatched by Beattie with ease and the contest was over, the blades had not managed a goal away from home all season and to expect two with ten men was more then the most optimistic fan could hope for.

Warnock responded by sending on Chris Morgan to replace the unlucky Alan Quinn in order to maintain a back four, Morgan was given the captains armband and tasked with lifting the team to try and mount a comeback.

The blades rallied for the rest of the half with Chris Morgan providing the kind of spirit that has been the pride of Sheffield United teams gone by. That said, his free header from 6 yards following Keith Gillespie's free kick should have found the net instead of sailing wide as it did just before half time.

Similarly Colin Kazim Richards flick header from practically on the goal line seemed destined to reduce the arrears but Howard instinctively blocked the shot.

Andy Johnson still found time to crash a shot against the woodwork before the half time whistle brought an eventful half to a close with United needing a miracle to rescue anything from the game.

With the faithful following from Sheffield bellowing out a rousing chorus of the greasy chip butty, Chris Morgan led the team in a pre-half huddle with everyone knowing what a massive task the next 45 minutes would prove to be.

Early on, to the beat of the fantastic away support, Keith Gillespie inventively played a through-ball to send Mikele Liegertwood clear of the defence. He took the shot early from a central position but the 12 yard drive curled wide of the post as the goal-less streak of Sheffield United showed no signs of ending.

This proved to be the moment that could have turned the game as from that point on Everton really should have put the result beyond doubt. Leon Osman and James McFadden both spurned chances, Paddy Kenny denying the latter with a great save.

Warnock introduced Kabba and Webber to the proceedings and both showed attacking skill and intelligence without causing too many problems to Everton. There was an obvious sacrifice to defensive duties as the blades looked for a way back into the game but Everton continued to spurn chances.

Leigh Bromby found himself in the penalty area in the dying stages, he brushed off a foul that should have led to a penalty and squared the ball for Webber but he was unable to force the ball home as the impressive Howard maintained his clean sheet.

Neeedless to say Gallagher did not bring back the play in the style that punished the blades against Liverpool as his abject display reached new levels of ineptitude.

Everton missed another late chance, substitute Anichebe the guilty party this time as his industrious run and low shot flew wide of the mark just before the final whistle.

So ended game number 10 of the season, widely regarded as the point at which the table tells the story of the season ahead. The blades sit 17^th but have a very difficult run of games ahead, perhaps leading the blades to rue opportunities to take more the 1 point from the last two away games.