TOFFEES DO IT THE HARD WAY AS EVER

THE scenes when Dominic CalvertLewin scored have not been witnessed at this famous old ground in many a decade. Everton are safe.

Read those words and drink them in – because for so much of this quite astonishing contest they were laughable.

Finally, after weeks of throwing it away, they have finally done it.

But this is Everton and this is the insane ride of their ridiculous season – so they did not do it the easy way.

In fact, they demonstrated rather magnificently, in a lamentable firsthalf showing, exactly why they were in this position in the first place.

Crystal Palace were quicker, stronger, far more skilful and looked what they are – an accomplished side. Everton looked what they have been for so long this season – lost.

Quite how they turned it around will go down in legend as the second half was the most magnificent 45 minutes Goodison has experienced since their 60s and 70s heyday.

The passion was astonishing and the atmosphere so electric you could have provided free energy to the whole of Liverpool.

It was the fans who kept Everton up – more so than even CalvertLewin, who came to the party after a whole season of injury misery.

Yet this comeback and the luxury of safety cannot hide the mismanagement at the very top, the disastrous ownership of Farhad Moshiri.

No amount of joy or elation from the fans (above) can mask the question, how has he spent so much and achieved so little?

There are many questions to be asked loud and long this summer.

But, under Moshiri – for all the money he has spent – Everton are simply not good enough.