Everton avoid Premier League relegation: Toffees win over Crystal Palace ensures top flight safety

Everton’s pristine Premier League record appeared for some time to be in serious jeopardy, but it’s in danger no longer.

The Liverpool-based club has been in the thick of the relegation battle all season long, and for a while it appeared dire, dipping into the relegation zone for some time earlier in the winter and spring. However, a win over Crystal Palace on the final day of the season saw the Toffees mathematically secure Premier League safety.

Everton came into the final two matches of the season knowing one win would be enough, and despite going down 2-0 in the first half, the Toffees put together a comeback that will be remembered for years in club lore.

With the Toffees now secure, the relegation battle is down to just Leeds United and Burnley for the final spot, with Norwich City and Watford already confirmed to be going down.

Don’t call it a comeback. 👊🎤 pic.twitter.com/5o7fpAfnwS

— Everton (@Everton) May 19, 2022

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Premier League standings

With the final week of the season now here, there are three teams battling for relegation. Everton are safe, meaning Burnley and Leeds will battle it out for the final relegation spot.

Burnley’s draw with Aston Villa on May 19 saw them leap Leeds United out of the relegation zone and into 17th on goal difference. That means Burnley control their own destiny on the final day, while Leeds must best Burnley’s result on Sunday.

Watford and Norwich City have already been confirmed to suffer the drop, and will play in the Championship next season.

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How Everton avoided relegation

Heading into the penultimate match of the season, a rescheduled fixture against Crystal Palace on May 19, Everton needed victory in either of their final two matches to confirm safety.

After falling behind 2-0 at halftime, and ending up on the wrong end of a brutal refereeing decision that should have seen Jordan Ayew sent off, it looked to be falling apart for Everton. With a loss or draw, Everton would have left it to the final day of the season.

Instead, the Toffees mounted a famous comeback that will be forever remembered in Everton lore. Michael Keane started it off before the hour mark with a wonderful outside-of-the-foot finish to give the club hope, and Richarlison bundled in a deflected effort to tie it in the 75th minute.

Then, the moment that will be remembered forever, Dominic Calvert-Lewin got on the end of Demarai Gray’s free-kick and launched a bullet header into the back of the net, blowing the roof off Goodison Park. The fans immediately streamed onto the field, with players pleading for supporters to return to their seats as there was still time on the clock.

With one remaining fixture to go in the season, the Toffees will now be able to head to The Emirates knowing Premier League safety is already secure.

Watch the winning goal in the United States

SCENES AT GOODISON PARK! #EVECRY pic.twitter.com/gukdG4i57x

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 19, 2022

Watch the winning goal in Australia:

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN WITH THE BIGGEST GOAL OF HIS CAREER!!!

Goodison Park goes absolutely wild and fans invade the pitch.

You cannot write this stuff.#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/XVhrfggvnS

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 19, 2022

Watch the winning goal in Canada:

ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE 🤯

EVERTON LEAD AND THEY’RE MINUTES AWAY FROM PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL 💙 pic.twitter.com/vDc0H80aad

— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) May 19, 2022

Everton remaining fixtures