LONDON – Everton´s stay in the top division will extend to 69 years after preserving its English Premier League place with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace thanks to a second-half comeback.
Chelsea will head into the finale with third place already secured by drawing 1-1 with Leicester.
Instead it will be only Burnley and Leeds trying to avoid being the third and final team relegated in the final round of the season on Sunday.
Everton looked doomed to be joining a three-team relegation scrap when trailing at halftime through goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.
But the recovery was started by Michael Keane nine minutes into the second half, Richarlison leveled in the 75th minute and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed Everton in front in the 85th to spark an invasion of the field by the home fans.
The game resumed to completion and Everton supporters spilled onto the turf again to celebrate Frank Lampard’s team staying in the Premier League.
The relegation rivals both face teams on Sunday with nothing to play for, with Leeds at Brentford and Burnley hosting Newcastle.
Nick Pope´s saves ensured Burnley drew 1-1 at Aston Villa on Thursday to lift the team out of the relegation zone and keep its Premier League status in its own hands heading into the final round.
The goalkeeper made stops from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Bertrand Traore at Villa Park in the penultimate match.
Burnley led through Ashley Barnes scoring his first goal in 15 months from a penalty in the 45th minute after Maxwel Cornet was fouled by Emi Buendía.
The lead was wiped out three minutes into the second half. Burnley failed to track Buendía’s run from deep and he volleyed in from McGinn’s delivery.
Burnley held on after seeing Matt Lowton sent off in stoppage time for a foul on Calum Chambers.
The result sent Leeds into the final relegation place, with Burnley moving out of the drop zone due to having a superior goal difference. Both teams have 35 points.
“It’s not mission accomplished. The least we wanted was a point. We’re a little disappointed not to get the three,” Burnley interim manager Mike Jackson told the BBC.
“Everything I’ve seen tonight is what this group does. They’ve had to dig in, they’ve had to work. We’ll need it again on Sunday.”
Midfielder John McGinn nearly opened the scoring for Villa in the 17th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box, but Pope clawed the ball away.
Barnes put Burnley ahead just before halftime, sending Villa 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 by Emiliano Buendia.
The visitors, however, did not lead for long as Buendia made up for conceding the penalty when he equalised in the 48th minute with an excellent first-time shot from inside the box.
Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill’s fine strike from long range was brilliantly saved by Martinez who also stopped a close-range effort from Connor Roberts five minutes from time.
Villa dominated the closing stages and in stoppage time Pope did well to block an effort by forward Danny Ings, who had scored on each of his four previous Premier League appearances against Burnley.
“Nick Pope is getting better and better,” Jackson said of his keeper who produced eight saves, the joint-most he has made in a single Premier League game.
“He’s playing out of his skin. He’s been unbelievable for us.”
Villa, who have won only two of their last 10 Premier League games, remained 14th in the table.
“Honours are even because of Nick Pope. He was outstanding. He’s helped his team get a point,” Villa manager Steven Gerrard said.
“Moving forward, this club cannot finish 14th again. We need to change things and come back better and stronger next season.
“Their keeper is probably man of match for them but we need to be better. We need to have more quality and answers.”
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