Everton secured their Premier League status with a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning strike. The win meant that Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated in a dramatic season finale. Everton fans had to wait until the final whistle, which prompted a pitch invasion, to celebrate their escape. The celebrations were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation. Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31.
[1/5] Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton v AFC Bournemouth – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – May 28, 2023 Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring their first goal with Conor Coady, Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
May 28 (Reuters) – Everton emerged from a nerve-shredding afternoon with their Premier League status intact thanks to a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park as Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated in a dramatic season finale on Sunday.
The Merseyside club’s 69-year stay in the top flight was in peril at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United.
That combination of results meant Everton were in the relegation zone but Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning 57th minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required.
With Leicester winning 2-1 and that game over, Everton fans then had to bite their fingernails, pray, or just simply not watch the 10 minutes of stoppage time which included a superb save by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion with smoke from blue flares drifting across the old stadium that will host top-flight football again after another Everton escape.
Leeds, the other club in the last-day relegation drama, went down with a whimper as they were hammered 4-1 at home by Tottenham Hotspur for whom Harry Kane scored twice.
Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31.
Southampton, who were already relegated, finished bottom with 25 points although their farewell was a memorable one as they drew 4-4 at home to fifth-placed Liverpool.
EVERTON RELIEF
The celebrations at Everton were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation. Last year they escaped in the penultimate game but this time it went down to the wire.
“It’s a relief, this has been the hardest season of my career, so tough mentally,” defender Conor Coady said.
“We had it in our hands, but we can’t make this a common theme, we have to draw a line in the sand. This club has to improve because it’s a giant.”
Everton’s relief was in marked contrast to the mood at Leicester where not even a win over West Ham, courtesy of goals by Harvey Barnes…
On May 28, 2023, Everton secured their Premier League status after a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park. The win meant that Everton would stay up, while Leicester City and Leeds United were relegated in a dramatic season finale.
Everton’s 69-year stay in the top flight was in danger at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United. However, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning 57th-minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required. With Leicester winning 2-1 and that game over, Everton fans then had
