Everton secure safety, Lampard hails fans
LIVERPOOL: Everton manager Frank Lampard was close to tears at the final whistle as his side staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace that ensured their Premier League survival at Goodison Park on Thursday.
Lampard called it “one of the greatest moments of my footballing life” as Everton rallied from two goals down at half-time to claim victory thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header five minutes from time.
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. This club is special and I’m very proud to be the manager of Everton on this night.”
Lampard celebrated wildly at the final whistle and then with fans up in the stands as supporters poured onto the Goodison Park pitch in celebration.
“I thought I might cry, I might jump out of my own body,” he said, before defending the pitch invasion.
“Nobody can question the celebrations at the end tonight. People can easily say, ‘Well, the club haven’t won anything’. But come and work at this club for a few months, see how much it means to people to stay in this league.
“See the character this team had showed. The fans have pulled us over the line, there is no doubt about it. They have been more than a 12th man and the players have played their part too.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in an altercation with a fan after the match.
Amid a throng of supporters who invaded the pitch, one fan appeared to provoke the former France international with hand gestures, after which Vieira kicked him to the ground and had to be led away by other supporters.
The pitch invasion was the second of the match, the first coming after Calvert-Lewin’s 85th minute winner.
On the final day of the season tomorrow, Manchester City and Liverpool vie for the title.
Burnley or Leeds will joint Norwich and Watford in the Championship next season.