Dominic Calvert-Lewin says a collective determination to temper the disappointment of two below-par away performances drove Everton to victory at Sheffield United on Monday.

Richarlison’s match-winning strike drew the Brazilian level on 13 Premier League goals with Calvert-Lewin, who was the width of a post from netting on his old stomping ground.

Calvert-Lewin refreshingly admitted his frustration over not adding to his own tally since last month’s restart, even in the immediate aftermath of victory.

Of primary significance, however, was a fourth away success since Carlo Ancelotti became manager back in December.

Ancelotti was critical of displays at Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the past fortnight.

But at Bramall Lane, Everton answered their boss’s call to match the spirit and aggression of a Sheffield United side aiming for three points to close on a European position.

“It’s been a tough period of games for us but it was important we were ready for the test Sheffield United would provide,” Calvert-Lewin told evertontv.

“We matched them in everything on the pitch and showed character to hold out for three points.

“We showed a bare minimum of what should be expected: working hard, character and determination.

“We proved before the [coronavirus-enforced] break we had that within us.

"It’s not come to the pitch as we’ve re-joined the season, which is frustrating.

“The past couple of performances haven’t been acceptable from all of us.

“We had something to prove regardless of what they [Sheffield United] were fighting for and we were fighting for.

“We knew we had to win our individual battles and the physical battle. which we did.

“We matched them, got the goal, almost got a couple more, and held out until the end.

“They are a good team, a tough team, and it was important we got the points.”

Calvert-Lewin has 15 goals in all competitions, equal with Richarlison, in a season when he has grown with the responsibility of wearing Everton’s coveted number nine jersey.

The 23-year-old, who came to Everton from Sheffield United in August 2016, had the Midas touch following Ancelotti’s appointment.

He scored eight times in the former AC Milan manager’s opening 10 league games and – regardless of some fine displays in the interim, including in the meeting with his old employers this week – the single-minded Calvert-Lewin is eager to return to the goal trail.

He headed against the woodwork from a Theo Walcott cross against the Blades and had another deflected effort beaten out by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

“It’s frustrating but I don’t get too down about it,” said Calvert-Lewin, who has one more chance to add to his 15-goal haul when Everton host Bournemouth on Sunday.

“The most important thing is the three points.

“But I am a centre-forward, I am selfish and want to score.

“I was a little bit closer today [against Sheffield United], unlucky on the back stick [with the header against the post].

“But I’ll get the goals.

“Every time I come off the pitch, if I haven’t scored I am disappointed, regardless of the result.

“Being a centre-forward, I want to score goals.

“I wanted to kick on and continue my scoring form [after restart], which hasn’t quite happened

“But I go into every game believing I am going to score,

“That is the way it has to be.

“I was closer today and there is no reason why the next game won’t be the day I score.”