Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored five minutes from time to guarantee Everton's Premier League survival as they rallied from two goals down to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace at a rocking Goodison Park on Friday (NZ time)
Everton needed a win to ensure they continue their 68-year top-flight stay and Calvert-Lewin, who has been a peripheral figure this season due to injury, headed a Demarai Grey free-kick in at the Gwladys Street end to spark a pitch invasion from the delirious home fans.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew, who perhaps should have had a red card moments earlier, scored first half goals for mid-table Palace, who were well on top, but Everton rallied in the second period thanks to goals from Michael Keane and Richarlison, before Calvert-Lewin's winner.
It will be huge relief for manager Frank Lampard and Everton's vociferous fans, who provided another massive show of support ahead of the game as they welcomed the team to the stadium, but had been deflated after a poor first half.
Burnley also moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, keeping their Premier League survival in their own hands heading into the final day of the season.
Striker Ashley Barnes put Burnley ahead just before halftime, sending keeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way with a low penalty into the corner after Burnley were awarded a spot-kick for a foul on Maxwel Cornet.
The visitors, however, did not lead for long as Emiliano Buendia made up for conceding the penalty when he equalised in the 48th minute with an excellent first-time shot from inside the box.
Villa dominated the closing stages but Burnley keeper Nick Pope held firm to lift Mike Jackson's side out of the bottom three.
They are 17th on 35 points, level with Leeds on points but with a vastly superior goal difference going into their final game at home to Newcastle United on Monday.
Meanwhile, Marco Alonso scored a glorious equaliser to earn Chelsea a 1-1 home draw with Leicester City on Thursday and effectively seal third place in the Premier League ahead of the final round of fixtures.
The draw lifted Chelsea to 71 points, 19 behind leaders Manchester City and three ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, but Chelsea's far superior goal difference means Spurs have no realistic chance of overtaking them.
Leicester took the lead in the seventh minute when Kasper Schmeichel sent a sweeping long ball to Timothy Castagne, and his deflected pass fell into the path of James Maddison who advanced before curling a perfect shot past Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea's 34th-minute equaliser was exquisite, Reece James lofting a diagonal ball into the box for Alonso to volley home, and though they completely dominated the game the hosts could not find the net again and had to be content with a draw.
Reuters.
