(Football news) A remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park secured Everton their Premier League status for next season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a header in the 85th minute as the Toffees came from two goals down to seal an invaluable three points, which means Everton will play their 69th consecutive season in England’s top flight, having previously been relegated in 1951.
The hosts trailed 2-0 at halftime after an opening goal by Jean-Philippe Mateta while Jordan Ayew doubled the advantage. However, nine minutes into the second half, Michael Keane scored Everton’s first goal, giving the Goodison Park’s crowd some hope of a result while Richarlison restored parity with his 10th Premier League goal of the season in the 75th minute. Dominic Calvert-Lewin connected with Demarai Gray's cross five minutes before the final whistle, resulting in widespread jubilation amongst the crowd, who eventually invaded the pitch to celebrate.
Speaking after the match, Frank Lampard said “It's really difficult, I just said that to the players. What we've just seen, it's Premier League safety, it's not Champions League. But what it means to the club and circumstances they were given in. The character of this club, the fans, players, just got us through. The spirit of the club was immense. There are a lot of people who work so hard for that, the players, the board, the fans, my staff. It's a huge night for Everton and now we want to take that forward.
“Relegation battles are tough and an experience in their own right, the support I've had from the owner, chairman, Denise and what the fans have brought in is hard to do. Everyone can see the heart and the soul of the team, that's why we stayed up. When I arrived at the club there were cracks, now it's time to restock and learn. There's a reason why we're here." When asked what he said at half-time, Lampard said “If you're honest you have to fake it, act a bit. Don't show your feelings. You have to turn people around and inspire them. Dele Alli came on and was amazing. "My point was it's not the tactical change, it's the emotions and the character. Can you energise the crowd and score an early goal? Then it's the energy, the players deserve immense credit.
“If we don't get that first goal, it's difficult to win. I expected Burnley to get something. That goal was crucial, once it went in you felt the players, and the night, there was something special there. The crowd reacted, we created a special night in Everton's history. It was so important. We needed them tonight, at 2-0 it was easy to expect the worst. But they've been doing it for a long time, since the Chelsea game. After that Burnley was difficult. Again, the atmosphere was another level, it was great to see them on the pitch. We don't condone it but it was in such good faith. They want success and when they see a team giving it they react instantly. Those moments were priceless."
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera said “What changed is that we didn't respect the game as we did in the first half. We've been losing too many simple balls and we were inviting too much pressure. We allowed them to build momentum and confidence. It's about managing the game at 2-0 but we gave them hope. We invited pressure which woke up the crowd and then they made it difficult for us. When we were 2-0 up, we had the chance to score a third which would've been game over. But the discipline we had in possession in the first half we didn't show in the second. We lost control of the game. These are the types of games which will help us learn a lot. We started to showboat a little bit instead of playing simple. That comes with maturity."
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