Everton vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result and score as fans invade pitch after Calvert-Lewin goal
Everton 3-2 Crystal Palace: Follow live reaction as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late header rescued the hosts and secured their survival
Follow live reaction as Everton came from two goals down at half-time to beat Crystal Palace and secure their Premier League safety at a raucous Goodison Park.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 85th minute winner rescued Frank Lampard’s side and sparked a pitch invasion from the home supporters, after goals from Michael Keane and Richarlison pulled them level.
At half-time, and with Burnley leading Aston Villa, Everton were facing the possibility of needing to go to Arsenal on the final day of the season and getting a result.
Despite making a positive start in what was a noisy atmosphere at Goodison Park, the visitors took the lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta was allowed space to score a free header from Eberechi Eze’s free-kick.
It went from bad to worse for Everton as Jordan Ayew, who was fortunate to escape a red card for a high challenge on Anthony Gordon, punished a series of defensive mistakes to double Palace’s lead.
Michael Keane got one back after half-time to spark the comeback, and Richarlison equalised with 15 minutes of normal time remaining with a scrambled finish. But Calvert-Lewin’s header was greeted by wild scenes - which continued at full-time as the Toffees celebrated staying in the Premier League.
Everton vs Crystal Palace
Frank Lampard on tonight’s huge game against Crystal Palace.
He said: “I have to thank our fans for their impact on the team, particularly in recent weeks. I’m sure they will come with everything again - and maybe a bit more. We really appreciate that.
“Historically, this could be such a big night for us. The players have to turn up to play with the same passion and fight as those in the stadium. We need 11 Evertonians on the pitch.
“They have to tap into the occasion. It’s a game that’s really critical, but they can use the pressure in a good way and play with control on top of that.
“We’re playing a game that we love, so we have to be up for those big-pressure moments. Everyone has to be ready.”
Everton vs Crystal Palace
This was the scene when the Everton team bus arrived earlier tonight. You’d think this was a title decider!
You cannot fault the Toffees’ supporters (before) every match. They have got behind their side like no other.
With that said, if things begin to go wrong then the atmosphere can change very quickly inside Goodison Park.
That’s why it’s so important they get off to a good start against Palace.
Everton vs Crystal Palace
So Michael Keane returns to the Everton starting line-up this evening. He comes in for the suspended Jarrad Branthwaite who was one of two players sent off in the defeat to Brentford.
Keane’s experience in relegation battles with Burnley could well prove vital against Crystal Palace tonight. We shall see.
Vieira to speak with Kouyate over Gueye support
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has promised to seek talks with midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate over the reason behind his messages of support on social media to compatriot Idrissa Gueye.
Gueye has come under fire after he failed to feature in Paris St Germain’s 4-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday, which was the weekend Ligue 1 had chosen for its clubs to show solidarity ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia this week.
The French side wore rainbow-coloured numbers to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community but Gueye was absent for “personal reasons” having also missed the corresponding fixture last year.
Kouyate and fellow Senegal team-mate Ismaila Sarr have both sent messages of support to their international colleague after Gueye faced criticism and the Palace boss is eager to find out the “full facts” from his player.
Patrick Vieira to speak with Cheikhou Kouyate over support for Idrissa Gueye
Gueye was absent for “personal reasons” as PSG wore rainbow-coloured numbers to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community
Everton vs Crystal Palace
Simply a must-win game for Everton. A sea of blue has already descended upon Goodison Park. They know tonight could be a seismic evening in their history.
Everton vs Crystal Palace
A reminder that if Everton fail to win tonight then they will have to go to Arsenal on Sunday knowing their Premier League safety still hangs in the balance.
The Gunners will still be fighting for fourth place and hoping Spurs slip up against Norwich.
So tonight really is huge for Everton. It’s their last home game of the season but they shouldn’t need the crowd to tell them the magnitude of this match.
Aston Villa vs Burnley team news
And here is the team news from Villa Park.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Chukwuemeka, Watkins, Buendia.
Burnley: Pope; Long, Collins, Tarkowski, Roberts; McNeil, Cork, Brownhill, Taylor; Cornet, Barnes.
Chelsea vs Leicester team news
Team news from Stamford Bridge is in.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Lukaku, Pulisic
Leicester: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Evans, Fofana, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Mendy, Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy
Everton vs Crystal Palace
No need to go anywhere else this evening, by the way. I will be giving you live updates of Everton vs Crystal Palace as well as score updates from the two other games in the Premier League.
Aside from the pair of fixtures impacting the bottom of the table, Chelsea also host Leicester at Stamford Bridge at 8pm.
With respect to Thomas Tuchel’s side though, our focus will be on the battle to avoid the drop.
Everton vs Crystal Palace
What about Crystal Palace?
Well, a victory for Patrick Vieira’s side this evening would see them leap up four places to ninth in the Premier League table.
Palace are just six points adrift of Wolves in eighth and have a superior goal difference to all of those around them.
So it’s all still to play for. The Eagles are by no means on the beach (not that you ever actually find eagles on the beach).
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