Featured Image Credit: Opta Sports
Topics: Everton, Premier League, Fan Reactions, Bournemouth, Leeds United, Leicester City, Football
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Everton, Premier League, Fan Reactions, Bournemouth, Leeds United, Leicester City, Football
Everton fans celebrated surviving another year in the Premier League by running onto the pitch at Goodison Park and rivals are split about it.
Fate was always in the hands of Sean Dyche's team as they knew a win on the final day of the season would guarantee they would stay up, no matter what else happened.
Leicester City leading at half time in their game with West Ham United whilst the Toffees failed to break down Bournemouth would have added some nerves to those on Merseyside.
Of course Leeds United were already pretty much out of the equation by that time after some atrocious defending, despite having six defenders on the pitch.
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Setting off fireworks outside the Tottenham Hotspur hotel the night before the match didn't work for Leeds as they went on to lose 4-1.
Leicester did manage to beat West Ham but it was all in vain as Abdoulaye Doucoure's brilliant goal saved Dyche's side from going down.
It was the second year in-a-row that the fans had witnessed their side keep themselves in the Premier League at home, in the final game on home soil of the season, and this time the last day of the entire campaign.
Fans showed their relief and happiness by flooding onto the pitch to celebrate the 'achievement' of still being in the top tier when it all starts again in August.
Whilst those inside the ground were very happy for themselves, fans on social media were far more mixed in their reaction to the scenes.
"Dodged a bullet once again, underserved survival in my opinion and shamelessly bragging about staying up, it's not a trophy," said one fan.
"Embarrassing. Yeah it’s good for them they stayed up but I’d be fuming still," added a second.
A third pointed out the club's spending over the years, arguing, "I could say this is fine if it’s Luton next season but Everton? They’ve spent over £500M in the last 6 seasons. Them finishing below 10th is embarrassing."
Another supporter compared it to other sides who survived, replying, "Forest stayed up in their first season back into the prem by beating Arsenal and not a single fan went onto the pitch."
And a fifth laughed, "Celebrating failure year after year."
Other fans were more understandable however. "Massive relief for them so hugely understandable and justifiable," commented one.
"I think if any situation (relegation, Europe, etc) goes all the way down to the final day and you end up on the right side of it, then it’s fine to go nuts," explained a second.
Coming from a place of experience, another posted, "If you’ve ever survived a relegation battle, you’d understand. If your team’s never faced relegation, you never will."
A fourth proclaimed, "It's a release of emotion. They've suffered a lot throughout the season."
And another reasoned, "It’s all relative. Right now, it’s warranted I would say, even for a club as big and successful as Everton. If only out of sheer relief."
It's the second year in-a-row that fans have run onto the Goodison Park pitch after staying up, fortunately this season it didn't end up with the opposing manager being attacked.