Everton safe as Lampard beams after victory over Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Everton secured their Premier League status with an incredible fightback where they came from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace.

The hosts, who will continue their 68-year stay in the top flight, looked like they were heading for defeat after Palace scored twice in the first half through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.

But conjuring up a fighter's spirit once more and spurred on by their vociferous support, Everton turned the game around in the second half, thanks to a more attacking approach.

Nine minutes after the break Michael Keane smashed in to give Frank Lampard's side hope, and when Richarlison found the bottom corner with a miscued shot with 15 minutes left, it sent Goodison Park into raptures as a precious point looked likely.

Yet the best was to come with five minutes left. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored his first goal since August against Brentford last Sunday during an injury-hit season, sparked pandemonium with a diving header from Demarai Gray's free-kick.

The excitement boiled over as fans descended on the pitch to celebrate, with blue mist shrouding the stadium as smoke flares were let off.

The crucial result avoided the kind of final-day nerves that Everton fans had to experience in 1998 and 1994, where the team also preserved their Premier League status.

Everton boss Frank Lampard: What we have just seen, I know its Premier League safety, not champions league, what it means to this club. Anyone on the outside would say we were dead and buried at half-time but the character of this cub dragged us through. The spirit was immense, I am overwhelmed. A huge night for Everton and now we want to take that forward.

"Sometimes as a manager you have to fake it and not show your feelings. There was a small change, Dele came on and was amazing. My point was its the emotions and character, can you energize the crowd?

"Once that goal went in for us something felt special about the night. We have created a special night in Everton's history.

"We needed the fans tonight. They dragged the players but they have been doing it for a long time. The fans have dragged us through, it is extraordinary what they have done. They have suffered this year because they want success.

"Those moments at the end were priceless. I came in three and half months ago and the support I have had from everyone at the club has been huge and that is within Everton. It doesn't get the media, the interesting story is we might get relegated not that Everton has a heart and a soul. Tonight we showed we have a heart and a soul and are staying in the Premier League.

"Now is time to take stock, enjoy for the moment and then make sure we are not here again next year, because there are reasons we are here. We have to find everyway to improve the squad, the club and ourselves.

"Everton fans can know as long as we are at this club myself and the fans will give everything."