Carlo Ancelotti underlined the importance of Everton claiming a notable away victory at Sheffield United on Monday, with the Italian targeting a significant improvement on the road next season.

Richarlison headed his 13th Premier League goal this season one minute after half-time to seal victory in a game where Everton prevented their hosts from having a single shot on target.

Everton have claimed four of their five away victories this season under Ancelotti – and the manager wants more consistency outside L4 to support his side's form at Goodison Park where they are unbeaten in 11 Premier League games.

This latest away win was founded on terrific performances from centre-back pair Michael Keane and, on his first start, Jarrad Branthwaite.

Everton had opportunities to add to their advantage but Richarlison’s powerful flick from a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick was enough to settle the contest.

“It was an important victory and performance,” Ancelotti told evertontv.

“We showed good spirit and fantastic concentration and great work defensively – all the team was involved defensively.

“We didn’t concede opportunities.

“We had more space after half-time and could show more quality in midfield.

“We had opportunities on the counter-attack to close the game but at the end we had good control.

“It was more difficult in the first half because Sheffield put a lot of pressure on us.

“It is a difficult place to win.

“We were focused and motivated and it is easier to win when we are focused.

“We have done better at home this season so the step for next season is to do better away.”

Richarlison started on the left for Everton after almost exclusively operating as a striker for Ancelotti.

He hit his third goal since lockdown – the South American’s trio of strikes directly worth five points – when striding onto Sigurdsson’s delivery and planting a header beyond Dean Henderson in goal.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed against the post in the closing minutes of the first half.

Following Richarlison’s opener, Andre Gomes was marginally wide with a long-range hit and a succession of Everton counter-attacks fell down at the final hurdle.

Sheffield United, pursuing a European position, desperately hunted an equaliser but couldn’t create an opening of note.

The immaculate Keane completed 12 clearances and his display was summed up with two towering headed clearances in stoppage time,

Next to the England man in the centre of defence, Branthwaite followed two impressive substitute’s appearances with a tremendous 90-minute display.

“I am a bit surprised how sometimes he makes mistakes, which you can expect at 18, but  never loses control,” said Ancelotti, who confirmed striker Moise Kean will be fit to face Bournemouth on Sunday after missing the trip to Bramall Lane with a knee injury sustained in training.

“He is always focused and confident, this is the character a young player needs to have to improve and learn.

“If a player deserves to play, he plays, it doesn’t matter if he is young.

“Richarlison didn’t play the first half so well, I was a little bit disappointed with him.

“But he has this kind of quality.

“When he has an opportunity to score he is cold in the box.

“It was a fantastic header and fantastic goal.

“It is not easy to find motivation when the season is close to the end [with nothing on the line] but it is an important sign for the future that this team has this quality.

“The players have to know what our supporters expect from us: fighting spirit and concentration.

“The fact we were able to show this is a positive sign.”