(Football news) Everton took a big step in their Premier League survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Chelsea. The pressure was firmly on the Toffees after Burnley’s comeback win over Watford on Saturday and desperately needed a win in order to have a chance of remaining in England’s top flight next season. The atmosphere at Goodison Park was electric and the Toffees broke the deadlock in the 46th minute with a goal from Richarlison which eventually secured Everton much needed three points.
However, Everton had to fight hard to secure the win as Pickford was forced to make two brilliant saves to deny Cesar Azpilicuta and Antonio Rudiger. The Blues continued to push for a goal and Pickford had to stop Mateo Kovacic’s low strike as the home fans also played their part in safely getting their side beyond the final whistle to move two points behind Leeds and Burnley with a game in hand. As for Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel’s team remain third but will need to get results in their upcoming fixtures as a place in the top 4 is not guaranteed.
Speaking after the match, Everton manager Frank Lampard said “Difficult. They are always a team that will put you under pressure late on. We did brilliantly. The team, the stadium, the fans were the man of the match today. From the drive in to the support, which we need. Thanks to them. The fans are in the middle of this. I am pleased the players could see on the way what it means to the fans. They know that and understand it. They got behind us, were nicely aggressive, this place has to be a hard place to come. Results have been good here at Goodison before I came, we have to maintain that.
“We have to fight for points, we are in the relegation zone, and we have to go with that same spirit every game. They [the players] have to show they care. I like that. They don't have to go over the line but have to show they care; the fans want to see that. I prodded them a bit before the game because the situation is clear. We need to perform at that level in all our remaining games. That needs to keep coming in and if it doesn't, we have to sort it out.”
At the London Stadium, Arsenal consolidated their place in the top 4 with a 2-1 win over West Ham. A result for the Gunners was necessary after they dropped into fifth place with Spurs’ 3-1 win over Leicester City and Mikel Arteta praised his side for “winning ugly”. A second half header by Gabriel Magalhaes in the 55th minute from Gabriel Martinelli's cross secured the three points for Arsenal. Rob Holding, who replaced an injured Ben White scored the opening goal of the match in the 39th minute from Bukayo Saka’s corner but West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen scored the equaliser just before the break.
Arsenal had the opportunity to kill off the game with Eddie Nketiah not taking advantage of a number of opportunities but their slender advantage was enough to secure the three points and are now two points above West Ham and three points behind Chelsea in the Premier League table. Meanwhile, West Ham are seventh, three points behind Manchester United and will now set their sights on the Europa League semi-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “We won ugly and big teams have to find a way to win ugly when they don't play at their best. With the ball we were really poor. We lacked composure, dominance to play the game we wanted to play, but we found a way through set pieces, through defending extremely well. To win here is credit to the boys. They showed the spirit we have. I'm still digesting a lot of things we didn't do right, but as a team to grow in confidence and to continue with the moment we have, we've won against three big teams in a row."
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