Calvert-Lewin the hero as Everton stay in Premier League

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s diving header five minutes from time extended Everton’s proud 71-year stay in the top flight with a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on a night for the ages at Goodison Park.

Needing a victory to make themselves safe and avoid a last-day trip to top-four-chasing Arsenal, the situation looked bleak when they went 2-0 down inside 36 minutes after goals from JeanPhilippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.

But manager Frank Lampard’s tactical changes, plus the sheer emotion and force of a raucous crowd, dramatically turned things around in the second half as first Michael Keane and then Richarlison, with his sixth in nine games, teed up a rousing finale.

And with the stage set, Calvert-Lewin – fresh from scoring his first goal since August in Saturday’s defeat to Brentford – launched himself at a free-kick and watched as the Gwladys Street End behind the goal exploded, followed by the rest of the ground.

The pressure had been so unbearable for so long, hundreds of fans and smoke grenades spilled on to the pitch in celebration and, while it was short-lived and goodnatured, referee Anthony Taylor and his assistants retreated behind a wall of police on the touchline.

There was another incursion by thousands at the final whistle and inevitably there will be consequences for Everton.

And Eagles boss Patrick Vieira was involved in a confrontation with a fan on the pitch in which he appears to aim a kick at the man taunting him.

Footage posted on social media shows Vieira, unaccompanied by staff or security, making his way across the pitch towards the away dressing room which is housed in the Park End car park as a result of Covid protocols, when he is confronted by a fan who appears to gesture in the Frenchman’s face.

● Marcos Alonso’s fine volley handed Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Leicester and secured a third-place finish in everything but mathematics.

Alonso had switched off to help James Maddison to rifle the Foxes into an early lead at Stamford Bridge, but delivered a sweetly-struck effort to level before the break.

The Blues boast a three-point advantage on fourth-placed Tottenham going into the campaign’s final day, but a goal difference superiority of 18.

● Nick Pope’s heroics at Aston Villa handed Burnley a vital survival lifeline and kept their future in their own hands.

The goalkeeper’s masterclass ensured the Clarets left Villa Park with a point from a 1-1 draw.

Ashley Barnes’ penalty – his first goal for 15 months – had given the Clarets the lead before Emi Buendia levelled soon after the break.

Everton’s Richarlison races away after making it 2-2.