Sheffield United 3 Colchester United 1: Blades striker Evans casts aside shadow hanging over his career

On Saturday, the striker showed his true value to Blades – scoring on his first start of the season, running Colchester United ragged, and leaving the field to a standing ovation.

Off the field, Evans is currently awaiting trial for rape.

The Welsh international claims he is innocent but, until the case is over, a shadow hangs over his life and career.

Ironically, the Blades were planning to sell Evans this summer to reduce pressure on the wage bill. They have struggled to find a willing buyer.

Restored to the first team only two weeks ago, Evans is showing no sign whatsover of stress or worry affecting his performance.

Manager Danny Wilson even dropped leading goalscorer Richard Cresswell to make room for the 22-year-old and his decision was fully vindicated.

Evans, who cost £3m from Manchester City two summers ago, struggled for goals in the Championship – scoring only 13 times in two seasons – but has now found a level where he will thrive.

He was cheered off the field when substituted near the end – and not sarcastically, as has been witnessed in the past.

Wilson is unwilling to discuss the player’s off-the-field issues but had nothing but praise for his display on Saturday.

“It was difficult to leave ‘Cressy’ out because he has been absolutely top class and he was disappointed, which is understandable,” said Wilson.

“But we felt it was time to have a look at Ched, who has been chomping at the bit. We see a player with a lot of attributes in his locker and we want to bring it out of him.”

Asked to explain the improvement in his game, Wilson said: “I don’t know what it is. He might be frustrated that he has not done particularly well over a period. That might be the driving force behind him wanting to do well.

“He still needs matches but this will do his confidence a power of good,” added Wilson. “His all-round game was excellent, not just his goal, but his holding up play and his movement. If he’s fit and able, he will be a big help to us this season.”

Evans took just three minutes to open the scoring after Colchester’s defence failed to deal with a corner.

Although Chris Porter doubled the advantage in the 12th minute, the Blades had survived a couple of scary moment in their own area – defender Magnus Okuoughae wasted a free header at a corner and Harry Maguire cleared a dangerous cross by Kayode Odejayi.

Colchester’s defending was extremely poor and Porter found acres of space before lobbing Mark Cousins from the edge of the penalty area.

When Kevin McDonald, preferred to Ryan Flynn in the Blades midfield, tripped Anthony Wordsworth, there were calls for a penalty from the away side.

Referee Darren Deadman ruled that the foul was just outside the area, however, and Wordsworth curled the free-kick inches over the bar.

Evans struck the bar with a header and Stephen Quinn twice went close as the Blades maintained the upper hand in the first half.

Colchester were often a decent team going forward yet, at the back, they were simply unable to cope with the Blades’ movement.

It was no surprise when their manager, John Ward, opted to substitute centre-back Matt Heath ten minutes before the interval.

Steve Simonsen, who had been criticised for his midweek performance against Huddersfield Town, made a number of important saves in the Blades goal.

Captain Michael Doyle was especially indebted to the goalkeeper after one wayward pass let in Ian Henderson.

The biggest worry for the Blades at the start of the second half was complacency. At 2-0, there was less urgency to push for a goal and some supporters were checking their watches counting down to the end of the game.

Colchester, however, had not given up the ghost and were still keen to gain a foothold in the contest.

The Blades woke up to this threat in the nick of time but endured bad luck finishing off the game.

Porter had a header ruled out for off-side and also hit the post after taking the ball round goalkeeper Cousins.

Evans dragged a shot narrowly wide and Matt Lowton struck the crossbar after bursting clear from the halfway line.

The third goal eventually arrived in the 71st minute, Quinn exchanging passes with Evans before firing home.

It had already been a day of celebration for the Dubliner, who had got up early with his brothers to watch Ireland’s shock 15-6 victory over Tri-Nations champions Australian in the rugby World Cup.

The Blades were having shooting practice near the end. Another three points safely in the bag.

After losing to Huddersfield Town 3-0 in midweek, this had been the perfect way to bounce back.

The Blades are joint top of League One with Charlton Athletic, who are the next visitors to Bramall Lane in 12 days’ time.

Sheffield United: Simonsen; Lowton, Collins (Jean-Francois 88), Maguire, Williams; Williamson, McDonald, Doyle, Quinn (Flynn 77); Evans (Cresswell 74), Porter. Unused substitutes: Mendez-Laing, Long.

Colchester United: Cousins; Wilson, Okuonghae, Heath (Baldwin 35), Coker; Bond, James (Antonio 72), Izzet (Gillespie 63); Henderson, Wordsworth; Odejayi. Unused substitutes: Rose, Duguid.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).