EPIC EVERTON COMEBACK
Lampard’s men fight back to stay in EPL as Vieira kicks out at a fan
EVERTON secured Premier League survival thanks to a thrilling second half comeback from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in front of a cacophonous Goodison Park crowd.
Palace manager Patrick Vieira kicked out at a fan as supporters spilled onto the pitch in celebration twice after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s winning goal five minutes from time and in chaotic scenes after the final whistle.
Vieira refused to comment on the incident that came as he was surrounded by Everton fans on his way back to the visitors’ dressing room.
“I’ve got nothing to say on that,” Vieira told reporters after the incident.
Only victory was good enough for Everton to not be fretting over their 68-year stay in the English top flight going into the final day
of the campaign on Sunday.
But a series of calamitous defensive errors looked set to cost Frank Lampard’s men as goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew put Palace in command before the break.
Michael Keane sparked the fightback nine minutes into the second half before Richarlison
levelled 15 minutes from time.
Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems have been a major source of Everton’s struggles this season but the England international came up with a huge goal when his club needed it most as he met Demarai Gray’s free-kick flush with a diving header.
Lampard called it “one of the greatest moments of my footballing life”.
They can now go into tomorrow’s final fixture at Arsenal with a massive weight lifted from the club.
“In my career, I’ve been fortunate to have amazing times, especially at Chelsea as a player and a coach,” said Lampard.
“But when you feel the desperation of what relegation brings, it is something different.
“You need to dig in and it is tough. Coming here (to Everton) three months ago with my amazing staff, positive people that work so hard to try and change things, and then getting a reaction from the players and the fans ... this club is special and I’m very proud to be the manager of Everton on this night.”
Calvert-Lewin’s winner sparked madness among the crowd as the game was held up due to the pitch invasion.
Seven minutes of nervy stoppage time followed, but Everton held out and the supporters spilled back onto the pitch in even greater numbers at full-time.
Vieira could now face an FA charge, but there will be some sympathy for the Frenchman in the latest case of a rise of dangerous pitch invasions.
A Nottingham Forest fan was jailed on Thursday for headbutting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after Tuesday’s Championship playoff semi-final, second leg.