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Everton seal famous comeback win over Palace to clinch safety

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3 years ago

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Everton secured their Premier League status as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 85th-minute header saw them complete a remarkable second-half comeback from two goals down to clinch a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on a night of high drama and tension at Goodison Park.

Frank Lampard’s side grabbed their second shot at safety having lost at home to Brentford on Sunday to preserve their top-flight status for a 69th successive season.

Everton knew they would avoid a first relegation since 1951 with victory against Patrick Vieira’s team on Thursday, but they trailed 2-0 at the break after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener (21) was added to by Jordan Ayew (36).

Michael Keane’s instinctive finish sparked the fightback nine minutes into the second half, and after Richarlison had restored parity with his 10th Premier League goal of the season (75), Calvert-Lewin met Demarai Gray’s cross five minutes from time to spark bedlam inside Goodison as fans invaded the pitch to celebrate.

There were unsavoury scenes at the full-time whistle as Palace boss Patrick Vieira had an altercation with one supporter. The result means Everton move onto 39 points, four clear of Leeds ahead of their visit to Brentford on Sunday.

Television footage showed him being taunted by an Everton supporter as fans ran on to the pitch at full-time.

The Frenchman appeared to kick out at the fan before being ushered away by other supporters.

The Football Association is investigating the incident.

The crucial result avoided 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 top flight, and will hope to build on the spirit shown in the closing stages of the campaign.

Lampard described this game as “all or nothing” given Everton’s wretched away record, which has seen them win once on the road in the league since August.



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