English Premier League side Everton secured their Premier League status with an incredible fightback where they came from two goals down to beat Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace 3-2. The hosts, who will continue their 68-year stay in the top flight, looked like they were heading for defeat after Palace scored twice in the first half through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ghanaian star player Jordan Ayew. But conjuring up a fighter’s spirit once more and spurred on by their vociferous support, Everton turned the game around when came in the second half-game.
Everton came from two Gaols Down to Beat Crystal Palace 3-2
Nine minutes after the break Michael Keane smashed in to give Frank Lampard’s side hope, and when Richarlison found the bottom corner with a miscued shot with 15 minutes left, it sent Goodison Park into raptures as a precious point looked likely. With just five minutes left to play minutes left. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored his first goal since August against Brentford last Sunday during an injury-hit season, sparked pandemonium with a diving header from Demarai Gray’s free-kick.
The excitement boiled over as fans descended on the pitch to celebrate, with blue mist shrouding the stadium as smoke flares were let off. The very important victory helped them avoid the kind of final-day nerves that Everton fans had to experience in 1998 and 1994, where the team also preserved their Premier League status. This time, with a trip to Arsenal on Sunday, they can at least enjoy the fact that however tortuous this season has been, they will remain in the league. The party started at the final whistle, with thousands of fans flooding onto the pitch, letting off more smoke flares, saluting their team and manager Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard described this game as “all or nothing” given their wretched away record, which has seen them win once on the road since August. And despite a poor showing in the first half, where once again Everton looked inferior to their opponents, they somehow managed another second-half turnaround, which has been crucial in keeping them in the Premier League.
