Everton moved up to second in the Premier League after edging a tight contest against Sheffield United at rain-lashed Bramall Lane.

It also inflicted more heartbreak on the Blades, who remain without a win and rooted to the bottom of the table.

In a game of few chances, Oliver Burke’s flashing drive represented the hosts’ best effort while Oli McBurnie steered a stoppage-time effort to retrieve a point just wide.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sigurdsson had both threatened to break the deadlock for the visitors before the Iceland midfielder sealed all three points.

Ancelotti’s side get the job done

While Everton looked resolute in defence and competent in midfield there was a noticeable absence of invention to their play for large periods of this encounter.

But even without James Rodriguez, who is still nursing a calf injury and Richarlison who is adhering to concussion protocols, Ancelotti’s side eventually got the job done.

After a relatively uneventful opening, which the Blades appeared to shade, Alex Iwobi’s speculative drive prompted more urgency from the Blues.

England forward Calvert-Lewin almost scored a contender for goal of the season, expertly running on to and chesting Michael Keane’s raking pass beyond Jack Robinson but then volleying just wide of the far-left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Sigurdsson was next to go close, unloading a curling strike that just missed the top-right corner from 20 yards.

However, after the interval they displayed few signs they were capable of a winner until Sigurdsson brilliantly latched on to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s touch and dispatched a low drive past Aaron Ramsdale.

Coming after the disappointment of their Carabao Cup quarter-final exit, it was the perfect response from Everton who have now enjoyed four consecutive wins twice in a season for the first time since the 1986-87 campaign, when they were last champions of England.

Blunt Blades lose again

Prior to Sigurdsson’s late intervention Sheffield United looked like they were going to collect only their third point of a dismal campaign.

However, like so many of their other matches this season the result did not match the level of endeavour they showed.

Collectively, Chris Wilder’s side covered over five kilometres more than their high-flying opponents but found no reward for their hard running.

They have now lost 13 of their 15 Premier League fixtures, with 10 of those defeats by a solitary goal.

But until they add goals to their game the league table is going to continue to make for uncomfortable reading for Sheffield United supporters.

Only Burnley – also with eight goals – have been as unproductive in attack as the Blades, and while they managed more shots than Everton (10-7) just two, from Oliver Burke and David McGoldrick, found the target.

While he was flagged offside McGoldrick’s scampering run past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, appeared symbolic of their season, when his tame effort was hacked off the line by Ben Godfrey.

More to follow.