A packed Goodison Park experienced scenes of ecstasy after Everton mathematically achieved permanence in the Premier League. The ‘toffees’ needed the victory so as not to wait for the last day on Sunday and, after a harrowing first half in which Crystal Palace went ahead 0-2, their fans celebrated the incredible comeback (3-2) by invading the field game at the end of the match.
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Everton had a hard time creating chances against Crystal Palace who had more possession of the ball and in the first half only Richarlison, with a free-kick that hit the outside of the crossbar (17′), was able to advance the ‘toffees’ .
On the other hand, Palace, who did not play anything, took advantage of two defensive errors to go into the break with 0-2. Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring by connecting, unmarked, a header from a free kick taken by Eberechi Eze (22′).
Jordan Ayew 0-2
Everton continued to be powerless to generate dangerous plays and it didn’t take much for Palace to increase their lead through Jordan Ayew’s face when Jordan Pickford rejected a shot from Wilfried Zaha (36′).
At the break, Frank Lampard left Andre Gomes in the dugout and brought on Dele Ali. Everton, more by heart than head, got back into the game on a free kick taken long by Seamus Coleman. Mason Holgate headed back and central defender Michael Keane, after controlling, finished off the net with his left foot (54′).
Pickford avoids 1-3
The ‘Toffees’, prisoners of nerves, sinned in haste and Pickford saved their fragile defense from 1-3 by responding with a save to a shot from close range by Mateta (64′).
They say that faith moves mountains and Everton, with their drive as the main argument, certified permanence with two goals in the last quarter of an hour.
Calvert-Lewin unleashes the madness
Richarlison made it 2-2 with a cross shot as he scrambled into the box to grab a rebound after a Dele Alli attempt (75′). Ten minutes later it was 3-2 on another Demaray Gray free-kick that Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished off with a powerful header from the plate.
It was madness at Goodison Park, some fans invaded the pitch, but the game was not over. Once order was restored, the fans held back and, after seven minutes of injury time, celebrated their mathematical salvation in style. Burnley and Leeds will play the last relegation place on the last day.
