Crazy scenes at Goodison Park as Everton survive a relegation scare with a game to spare. Sadly, an incident involving a fan and opposing manager, Patrick Vieira, has taken the front page news over the Toffees’ historic comeback for Premier League survival.
At the time of need: Everton made history in the English Premier League when they came back from being two goals down against Crystal Palace. First-half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew silenced the home crowd, and they went into the halftime break facing a final day relegation decider against Arsenal.
Before tonight, Everton had never won a Premier League game when losing by 2+ goals at HT.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 19, 2022
◉ 54': Keane
◉ 75': Richarlison
◉ 85': Calvert-Lewin
They've just broken that record and ensured Premier League survival in the process. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CLhNzNpcqt
Frank Lampard Delivered the Perfect Halftime Team Talk
Like a story out of a famous sports movie where the team’s coach delivered an inspirational talk while the chips are down, so did manager Lampard. Whatever was said by the Goodison boss did the trick, just like including Dele Alli at the second-half kickoff was a stroke of brilliance.
The underfire Englishman made a major impact on the game, and so did the other changes Lampard made to the team.
The first comeback goal came in the 54th minute of the game through a well-worked set-piece where the Toffees’ two centre-backs combined for the goal; Mason Holgate with the assist and Micheal Keane with the goal.
The second goal and equaliser came with 15 minutes left to spare when Richarlison took advantage of a loose ball in the box. The Brazillian should have had more on the night but was wasteful in front of goal.
The third goal for Everton and the fifth of the match came from a source they’ve been missing all season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A brilliant free-kick by the other impact sub, Demarai Gray, found the formidable head of Calvert-Lewin to win the game and cause the first pitch invasion.
Dion Dublin says there must be firm action taken against pitch invaders after Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was confronted by Everton fans as he was walking off the pitch at full time. pic.twitter.com/FFDhfSqFgv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2022
Two Pitch Invasions by the Everton Fans: Undisciplined, to Say the Least
Overfilled with joy, Everton fans stormed the pitch in excitement after the go-ahead goal. Goodison Park was rocking again and the atmosphere around the stadium let everyone know that they are staying in the Premier League for their 69th consecutive campaign.
Not long after the celebrations of the final match goal, the final whistle was blown by referee Anthony Taylor and the second wave of pitch invades hit as quick as COVID hit the world. Fans swarmed the players, flairs were popping off, and the opposing manager was nearly assaulted.
However, Patrick Vieira did the assaulting and appeared to have not lost the dirty side of his game and tripped the space invader (cause he was really in Vieira’s personal space) with a perfectly timed sideswipe. It was a bad ending to a marvellous comeback for Frank Lampard and his Everton team.
It was the first time in Premier League history that the Toffees have come back to win a game after being two goals down. End of season drama at its finest. Most importantly, after a tough relegation battle with six other teams, the trip to the Emirates will be a stressless one.