OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·19 May 2022
OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·19 May 2022
It was a huge night at the bottom of the Premier League on Thursday night as Everton secured their top-flight status. Elsewhere, Burnley’s survival will go down to the final day.
Here is what we made of it.
Everton will be playing Premier League football again next season.
For a long time this season it looked as if that wasn’t going to be the case but head coach Frank Lampard has accomplished the task he was given to do.
And the way they achieved it against Crystal Palace tonight was testament to the mentality Lampard has instilled at the club in recent weeks.
The Toffees have battled their way to wins over Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks, creating an emotional bond with the Goodison Park faithful and instilling pride in the badge.
There have been bus welcomes before the last few home games while blue flares have become the aesthetic after every goal scored.
A dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 courtesy of a last-minute winner to seal their Premier League survival? Everton fans cannot be blamed for enjoying this one.
Burnley fans are likely to feel a lot more deflated than the Evertonians but their draw with Aston Villa could prove to be pivotal.
The Clarets go into the final day out of the relegation zone on the same amount of points as 18th-placed Leeds and ahead courtesy of a better goal difference.
It leaves them with their fate in their own hands, although it could’ve been so much better for Mike Jackson’s men.
Ashley Barnes’ 45th-minute penalty left them in a strong position going into the break only to concede within three minutes of the restart when Emí Buendia ran into the Burnley boss unopposed to squirm a shot under the body of the Nick Pope.
The visitors struggled to hold on from then on but a point was grasped and if they pick up all three points at home to Newcastle United on Sunday then they will remain in the top flight for an eighth consecutive season.
Chelsea started the campaign as reigning European Champions and with strong credentials for a title challenge.
However, they are likely to finish around 20 points or more behind the top two of Manchester City and Liverpool.
And despite tonight’s draw with Leicester City all but sealing third place for Thomas Tuchel’s men Stamford Bridge felt like a lead balloon for the majority of the match.
Chelsea’s season will end with no trophies despite two cup final appearances and serious questions over its future on and off the pitch.
The whole defensive line is likely to change due to contracts expiring, Jorginho is consistently linked with a move away and how do you solve a problem like Romelu Lukaku?
It’s also now just four wins out of their last ten games for the Blues.
Tuchel might have a real job on in the summer.