Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder believes his side are confounding expectations with the results they have got away from home so far this season.
A 2-0 win at Everton followed a point at Chelsea, where they came from 2-0 down at half-time, and a draw at Bournemouth where they probably deserved more – five of their eight points accrued so far.
It should come as no surprise as they were strong on the road in securing promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, having not lost away from home since mid-January.
“Everyone thought promoted sides at home is where they are going to pick the majority of points up and we are bucking the trend,” said Wilder.
“Away at Bournemouth, the result away at Chelsea, and then to come to Everton who have had a fantastic home record.
“They are precious points at any stage of the season, especially for promoted sides, and we have managed to pick a big result up.”
United won the game despite having just 30 per cent possession and only one shot on target.
They benefited from a misjudgement at a corner by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford which saw Yerry Mina score an own goal and then, with the hosts in disarray as they chased an equaliser, added a second through Lys Mousset.
The Frenchman was a club-record £10million summer signing from Bournemouth and opened his Blades account with a breakaway goal.
He scored only three goals in 50 Premier League appearances in three seasons with the Cherries but Wilder believes he is just starting to get up to speed with his new club.
“Mousset has been fantastic for us and we are just getting him up to speed,” Wilder added.
“He showed glimpses at Chelsea and he took another step forward and it was fantastic for him to get his first goal for Sheffield United.”
Everton manager Marco Silva criticised his players for the nervous way they responded to going a goal down having dominated the opening 45 minutes.
“I don’t like to find excuses,” said the Portuguese. “We have to keep working and be really strong and do the best things in that moment.”
