Everton secure Premier survival
When Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the ball into the net, Everton fans were ready to start celebrating their team’s Premier League status being preserved.
A combination of astonishment and relief sent supporters flooding on to the Goodison Park pitch yesterday.
From two goals down to Crystal Palace, Everton were leading 3-2 but there were still at least five minutes remaining. The field had to be cleared before the fans could spill back on at the final whistle, sure the Merseyside club’s stay in the top division will extend to 69 years.
The outpouring of joy saw the grass covered in blue-shirted fans carrying smoke grenades as the players remained pitchside behind security. In the mayhem, Palace manager Patrick Vieira looked to be goaded by an Everton fan before he kicked out.
While Everton are safe, Burnley and Leeds will be trying to avoid being the third and final team relegated in the last round of the season on Monday.
“At halftime, we are not dead and buried,” Everton manager Frank Lampard said, “but anyone on the outside would say that and it’s the character of this club, the fans and the players that dragged us through.”
Burnley climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Leeds by drawing 1-1 at Aston Villa. Burnley can ensure their Premier League survival by matching or bettering Leeds’ result on Monday.
Chelsea will head into the finale with third place already secured after drawing 1-1 with Leicester yesterday.
Everton’s comeback started in the 54th minute. Mason Holgate nodded down a free kick and Michael Keane netted with his weaker left foot.
Richarlison levelled in the 75th minute and Calvert-Lewin headed Everton in front in the 85th from Demarai Gray’s free kick.
“What a roller coaster football is sometimes,” Calvert-Lewin said. “It’s why we love the game, why the fans love the game. In an ideal situation, we wouldn’t be in the position we were, but then it produces moments like that and you can go from low to high so quick. What a night.”