Sheffield United's European hopes fade in loss to Everton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - July 20, 2020 Everton's Tom Davies and Theo Walcott celebrate their first goal scored by Richarlison as Sheffield United's Dean Henderson, Chris Basham and Oliver McBurnie look dejected, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Rui Vieira

Sheffield United's Europa League qualification hopes took a hammer blow after a second-half goal from Richarlison guided visitors Everton to a 1-0 win in their Premier League clash on Monday.

After a cagey start at Bramall Lane, Everton created the best opportunity of the opening half with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header smashing the post from close range.

The visitors broke the deadlock straight after halftime when Gylfi Sigurdsson's free kick was headed in by Brazilian forward Richarlison for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - July 20, 2020 Everton's Michael Keane in action with Sheffield United's Richairo Zivkovic, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Michael Regan

"The goal was down to Richarlison's movement and header. The way he guided it into the corner was top class," Sigurdsson said.

David McGoldrick's immediate effort to equalise was blocked inside the box as the Blades rallied without managing to test Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the closing stages of the match.

The result leaves United eighth in the table on 54 points from 37 games, two points behind seventh-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who host Crystal Palace later on Monday.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - July 20, 2020 Everton's Lucas Digne in action with Sheffield United's George Baldock, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Peter Powell

To secure a place in the Europa League next season, United need three stars to align: They must win their final game of the season at Southampton; Wolves must lose both of their remaining games; and Chelsea must win the FA Cup to deny Arsenal a Europa League spot.

Despite losing a second consecutive game, Blades boss Chris Wilder said his players have "ridiculously overachieved" in the club's first season back in the top flight since 2006-07.

"We have overachieved and there are quite a lot of clubs that would want to swap places with us," he said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - July 20, 2020 Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Peter Powell

"I thought we deserved something from the game. We let ourselves down with the quality at the top end of the pitch."

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's Everton are 11th in the standings after their first win in five league games.

"The spirit was really good... the players know really well what our supporters ask for on the pitch - to have a good spirit and fight, and we showed that today," said Ancelotti.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - July 20, 2020 Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder talks with coaching staff, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Peter Powell

"We are at the end of the season but this fantastic spirit can be a good sign for the future."

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris and Hugh Lawson)