Match Report

It was the longest 43 minutes of our lives. 33 of the remaining minutes of the regulation 90 plus another 10 for substitutions, a delay for treatment to Jordan Pickford and unbridled celebrations for the goal that ultimately secured a 70th consecutive season of top-flight football for Everton Football Club.

43 minutes to see if the Blues could do what they had managed on only one other occasion at Goodison Park all season and score a second goal to practically remove all doubt. Or 43 nerve-shredding minutes to endure as the players gutted their way through Bournemouth’s attempts to play villain of the piece.

In the end, Abdoulaye Doucouré’s 20-yard rocket would be just enough. Leeds, with their inferior goal difference and air of defeatism having yet failed to win under bloviating emergency hire Sam Allardyce, needed a miracle; for Everton, Leicester City, with a six-goal advantage and plenty of talent in their ranks, were always the bigger danger.

As the Foxes increased their lead over West Ham 90-odd miles away at the King Power Stadium, so grew the implications of a goal by the Cherries who had not travelled up from the south coast to merely make up the numbers. Gary O’Neil clearly had no intention of losing a fourth match on the spin and his introduction of, first, Kieffer Moore and, then, Jaidon Anthony (who scored in each of the games against Everton at the Vitality Stadium last November) was proof enough.

It was hardly an onslaught or siege by Bournemouth during those seemingly endless added minutes but as balls were hoisted into the Blues’ box late on, varying degrees of fear flitted through hearts of anguished Evertonians before a moment of panic gripped the Grand Old Lady as substitute Matías Viña hammered a volley goal-wards in the fifth minute of stoppage time… only for Jordan Pickford to push it away with one final act of preservation in this most stressful of seasons.

With the final whistle just moments away in Leicester, a goal for the Cherries at that stage of the game would surely have sent Everton down.

As they have been for much of Dyche’s tenure so far, the Blues were up against it from the outset in terms of available players. Once again, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, rightly regarded as being vital to the team’s survival, had been ruled out, along with Vitalii Mykolenko which left the manager without his main striker and all of his senior full-backs.

For the first time since he took over from Frank Lampard, Dyche employed a back three, with Conor Coady and James Tarkowski playing alongside Yerry Mina on his swan song — a sensible move that beefed up central defence while allowing Dwight McNeil greater license to get forward than had been the case at Wolves last week where he had started at left-back.

The boss was aided by another terrific outing from James Garner who, playing out of position, put in arguably the standout performance on the day ahead of Idrissa Gueye, displaying composure, grit and intelligent use of the ball at crucial junctures. The 22-year-old came close to opening his account for Everton as well in first-half stoppage time but was foiled by a smart one-handed save by Mark Travers in the Bournemouth goal.

If the weakened starting XI didn’t portend potential doom, it was compounded by the fact that Bournemouth won the toss and forced the hosts to kick towards the Gwladys Street End in the first half.

Nevertheless, Everton began the game on the front foot but took a quarter of an hour to threaten the visitors' goal with the first of the few clear-cut openings of the contest. Demarai Gray, leading the line in place of Calvert-Lewin, won a corner on the right and when it was cleared to him outside the box, he drilled a shot that faded away from the target.

Everton's best chance of the first half fell to Gueye who was played in superbly by Amadou Onana but Travers tipped his rising effort over the crossbar and the goalkeeper had to be alert a few minutes later to push away another strong effort from the Senegalese international.

Doucouré bounced a shot wide from distance at one end but an error by Tarkowski almost condemned the Blues to a half-time deficit. The centre-half was dispossessed in a dangerous area but Mina got back to get a crucial touch on Dominic Solanke's shot to divert it behind while at the other end, Garner's curling effort was heading for the top corner but Travers batted it behind.

At the halfway stage, Evertonians were pondering the uncomfortable reality that, as things stood, their club was were heading out of the top flight. Leicester were ahead of West Ham thanks to Harvey Barnes’s goal but the Blues had another 45 minutes to make the breakthrough and then see out the clean sheet.

That breakthrough should have come just six minutes after the restart but Gray failed with a gilt-edged chance from close range. The ball was nodded into his path by Illia Zabarnyi in the six-yard box and he just had to deliver an emphatic finish but, perhaps put off contact from an approaching defender, miscued his header and Travers pushed it off the line and it was prodded behind to safety.

Six minutes after that, though, Doucouré imprinted his name indelibly on Goodison folklore alongside Barry Horne, Graham Stuart and Gareth Farrelly with a stunning 20-yard strike. Gueye's floated ball was initially cleared by Viña with his first touch and when it fell to Doucouré he smashed it home with such velocity that Travers barely moved.

The Old Lady erupted as one in elation before the hosts dug in to try and both defend the lead, and pad it if they could, but O'Neil's introduction of Moore threatened to add unwanted drama to the occasion.

The Welsh international's added height caused havoc at times and it was his knock-down that fell to Solanke in the box but Pickford made a decisive intervention, batting the ball off the striker's toes and apparently dislocating a finger in the process, while Mina finished the job by clearing his lines.

Everton's best moments in the closing stages came in transition as the Cherries tried to force home an equaliser and Gray wasted one great opportunity when he slipped trying to test the keeper from the angle before he was replaced by Ellis Simms.

The industrious Alex Iwobi had a shot deflected inches wide of the far post and Tarkowski headed over following a corner while Goodison held its collective breath at the other end as substitute Viña lined up that crisp volley that Pickford safely beat away.

Anguished Evertonians bayed for the final whistle as a couple of late free-kicks gave the visitors chances to heave the ball into the box but Everton's back line held before referee Stuart Attwell finally blew for full-time.

It’s not hyperbolic to say that this grand old club looked doomed in January when Lampard was finally sacked. With no support in the way of new attacking signings in the final days of the winter transfer window and cursed by ill fortune on the injury front, Dyche had a Herculean task on his hands to keep the Blues in the division.

There were question marks over some of his decisions and he only managed to win five of the 18 games he oversaw (fewer than many predicted he would need to guarantee safety) but he just about found a way to keep Everton up by hook or by crook.

The Toffees’ survival is also testament to the players who appeared at times to be lost but who never gave up the fight or their commitment to supporters who turned out in sold out numbers at Goodison Park and up and down the land.

Crucially in the final reckoning, just like last season, Everton were saved by the passion, faith and devotion of a fanbase that refused to bow to the dire fate that the actions of those charged with the stewardship of the club — absent once again on this most important of occasions — threatened to bring about.

Where rival clubs failed to muster the collective defiance and will, the power of the spirit that courses through this wonderful old institution and which is embodied within the storied brick, metal girders and wooden timbers of Goodison Park has proved too powerful to be extinguished.

For the quintessential top-flight club, finishing 17th this time around is cause not for celebration but relief. A true sleeping giant of the English game is not going under but lives to fight another day. However, real, extensive change has to now happen to ensure that we can truly ensure that Everton FC isn’t ever in the position of potentially fighting for its very existence again.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

Everton entered the final day of the Premier League with the threat of potential relegation still hanging over them, as it has been for most of the season, as they did what was required to beat Bournemouth thanks to a stunning volley from Abdoulaye Doucouré.

Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Vitalii Mykolenko, and Nathan Patterson, Sean Dyche goes without any recognised full-backs and only eight players on the bench, including two goalkeepers. Coleman, Godfrey, Davies, Townsend, and Vinagre are all out injured. 

Huge banners adorned the Gwladys Street as a wall of sound greeted the teams in the late May sunshine, Demarai Gray getting the game started and launching the ball out wide for a throw-in.  A big cheer for Gana Gueye making a determined sliding tackle but it was a very scrappy nervy, shapeless start to this massive game. 

Gray got forward but could not find a blue shirt with his cross. Doucouré tried to play forward but Gray was not on the same wavelength and Bournemouth tried to take the heat out of the game by slowing things down but McNeil got down to the byline, his cross going behind. McNeil was then exposed on the counter, Garner needing to block an attacker at the far post. And he had to repeat the feat on the next Bournemouth attack.

Everton were being repeatedly tested down their left flank, Mina having to head another cross clear. Everton got a free-kick but The Cherries defence was pretty impenetrable. Everton got some midfield possession and eventually got it forward, Gray trying to cut back and winning a corner. Gray smacked a fierce volley just over the angle. 

Everton looked to build another decent attack, McNeil's cross blocked behind for another corner that Tarkowski could not convert. Trakowsski was fouled as Bournemouth tried to counter, McNeil looping in his cross that Mina and keeper Travers went for.

Garner did well in defence and Everton got the ball up quickly but Onana's header at the far post lacked any direction. Garner was again impressive and seed to be fouled, then Senesi was in heavily on Gray. Some better movement saw Doucoure cross well but Gray had not advanced. 

Garner was having to do a solid job at right back, and Everton kept working the ball forward well until it went across the line into the Bournemouth penalty area. A really nice movement but it was the utterly dreadful shooter, Gueye who wrapped his foot around it and, to be fair, Travers got a fingertip to it but it was always going over. Nothing came of the corner.

Everton were applying some real pressure, Gana shooting again, forcing Travers to make a low save as Everton wanted not one but two penalty decisions, while the dreaded news seeped through that Leicester City had taken the lead at West Ham, pushing Everton down into the Bottom 3.

Tarkowski could not avoid giving away a corner that Bournemouth worked very cleverly, ending with a shot-cum-cross just across the Everton goal. Gray went down too easily trying to get the ball from Senesi. Onana then fired wide.

Gray tried to battle his way through three defenders but could not get a clear shot. Everton had to defend before mounting another attack but they were not getting any clear chances. Bournemouth then stole the ball off Tarkowski and it needed Yerri Mina to block the shot behind from Brooks, although they completely wasted their corner. 

Iwobi crossed in and Kelly put it behind for another Everton corner, taken by Gray. Garner crossed back in but Doucoure's ball in almost headed in by Mina but cleared by Traver s to Garner whose superb shot was heading for the top corner until Travers got across to paw it behind. Mina went down very easily on the next corner, but no penalty given. And that brought the half to an end with Everton, as ever, finding it very very hard to score.

With an incomprehensible scenario now playing out, Bournemouth restarted and kept possession, denying Everton the ball until Gray was fouled but nothing came of it. Doucouré went down under the slightest pressure.  Onana tried to advance but Kelly took him down. 

Nothing came of the free-kick but, from the follow-up, Gray looked to head in but weakly and Travers got down to save it on the line. Gana came in late on Brooks. On the counter, Quattara finally beat Garner and a wicked cross from Brooks almost went into the Everton net. More pressure from the Cherries had to be resisted before Pickford got a talking to for something.  

From another attack, Gana's cross was headed down to Doucoiure, who, like a man possessed, put his foot through the ball and powered a tremendous shot past Bournemouth, past Travers who didn't even move, and almost burst the Park End net, to the incredible relief of countless Evertonians. 

The atmosphere inside Goodison Park instantly flipped from numb and frustrated gloom to total and unbridled elation. But there was still a good half-hour to go as the club's precarious situation was underlined by Leicester City scoring a second against West Ham. 

It was frantic stuff as Bournemouth made changes and continued to threaten attacks, while Everton looked to hold on to their precious lead. 

Senesi once more took out Gray and this time he got a yellow card. Gray took he free-kick but it was poorly worked. Bournemouth attacked again and Pickford made a massive save, Coady clearing off the line, with Solanke then dragging Pickford down to try and stop him from defending his goal – why oh why was that not a red card from the VAR???

Pickford was very controlled under the circumstances as Mina went in on Solanke and the referee did his best but VAR should really have helped him.  Pickford needed extended treatment and was booked when he finally regained his footing. 

Onana was next to receive rough treatment from a very physical Bournemouth side. Then Coady was caught clearing off Viña. The visitors were simply not for lying down and going off "on the beach" – what a stupid notion. They kept building attacks to test the Everton defence. 

Another determined Bournnemoth attack almost broke through but for Tarkowski, and that set Onana off on a lively counter-attack, Gray striking the ball against his standing leg and behind for a goal-kick. 

Another clearance and Iwobi could counter but his cross to Gray was very poor, going out behind, much to Sean Dyche's annoyance. Another dangerous Bournemouth attack again causing serious nerves, Quattara then sending in a great cross that was just above Moore. 

The visitors simply would not back down, with Everton needing to respond to make the game safe. Iwobi tried with a good run but his shot was deflected wide as Gray was replaced by Simms.  Garner took the corner, a great delivery, and Tarkowski looked to get onto the second phase cross in. 

Everton needed to control the last few minutes of this game, but denying possession to the fervent Cherries was not easy by any means. Bournemouth got a free-kick as 10 minutes of added time were signalled.

Coady throw himself to deny Solanke, who trod on his leg as he was flagged offside. Onana was dragged down but nothing given, and then Gana fouled his man. A good ball in from Bournemouth and a fantastic volley from Vina, saved superbly by Pickford. 

McNeil released Doiucoure who tried to do it all himself, winning a corner for Everton. Iwobi played it short as they tried but failed to retain possession. Bournemouth came forward again but Mina was fouled by Moore. 

Everton tried to keep the ball in Bournemoth's half but The not so sweet Cherries had other ideas. However, Onana stood strong against Billing as the game entered its final minute of added time with Everton hoping against hope to keep the score unchanged. 

Everton: Pickford [Y:74'], Mina, Coady, Tarkowski, Iwobi, Gana, Onana, Garner, McNeil, Doucoure, Gray (86' Simms).

Subs: Begovic, Lonergan, Holgate, Keane, Maupay, McAllister,  Welch.

Bournemouth: Travers, Kelly, Brooks (56' Viña), Lerma, Solanke [Y:68'], Christie (65' Moore), Ouattara, Smith [Y:68'] (83' Anthony), Senesi [Y:68'], Zabarnyi, Billing.

Subs: Randolph, Stephens, Cook, Mepham, Stacey, Sadi.

Michael Kenrick

We found a way

I awoke at about 4am with Everton on my mind, of course, though I actually felt pretty optimistic that we would get the job done. I then went for a long run, got back an did a few jobs around the house before taking the kids for a walk up Thurstaston Common, then to West Kirby for an ice cream and during all that time I didn’t think about the match an awful lot. I was out a fair bit longer than anticipated and when I got home it was 11.45am, and I was due to leave in about 20 minutes. Nerves began to take over and it suddenly occurred to me – I hadn’t been serenely going about my day at all. I’d actually been doing anything and everything I could to occupy my day so that I didn’t think about Everton. And now, in the there and then, I was very nervous as I said goodbye to the family and left the house.

I thought I was smart in planning to get the 12:20pm bus over to Liverpool, figuring I could rock up while it was quiet everywhere and grab some lunch and a few beers before slipping off to Goodison Park. Though the bus I planned to get never arrived, and so the 12.20pm became the 12.35pm, and was very busy. It felt like an eternity for the bus to arrive in Liverpool. At every stop it felt like about a dozen more people got on. The bus was packed and we finally crawled through the tunnel as there was a lot of traffic at the tip due to the Dock Road closure. “Nearly there Stewart” I said to my mate who also happened to be on the bus. “I can see light at the end of the tunnel”. I couldn’t help myself. “I guess that’s a metaphor for today”.

Finally we arrived at The Excelsior on Dale Street where Chris had cunningly pre-booked a table. It was very busy in the pub. I don’t know why I expected it to be quiet really given the enormity of the game. And there was no chef in so no food available. Michael, Ste and a few others joined us while we enjoyed a few beers. Conscious of getting some food into my belly and with time edging towards kick off, Ste and I headed down Dale Street, where Ste got crapped on by a seagull. “I’ve just been shat on by a bird” he said instantly, showing me some splashes on his arm and shirt. I thought that was the extent of the damage though then he showed me the top of his head. It had landed square in the centre of his head. I literally couldn’t have done a better job with a brush.

From my earlier trip to a West Kirby ice cream shop I was able to inherit some napkins which I still had in my pocket and I was able to clean up most of the damage. We then stumbled upon a delightful Columbian street food place called The Twins where Ste was able to finish up his clean up job. We got a beer each, I ordered some food. “I can’t eat” said Ste. “I’m too nervous”. Funnily enough I go the other way when stressed or nervous and tend to comfort eat. Anyway, with that in my belly we got an Uber on to Goodison Park. But if you were looking for omens, we certainly found a few. The chink of light at the end of the tunnel, the bird crapping on Ste, and then finding of all places a random Columbian street food bar (think Yerry Mina) and things were looking reasonably good.

The Uber pulled up on County Road and we walked on to Goodison Road and joined the tail of the organised walk up to the stadium. The atmosphere was rocking. We were inside in good time and the teams came out to I think the loudest wall of noise I’ve ever heard at Goodison Park. It was incredible. At the Park End a banner read “FIGHT FOR US”. The words “FIGHT” and “FOR US” were on separate banners, and while the “FOR US” got lifted backwards and out of sight up at the top of the Park End stand, the word “FIGHT” stood alone. It was very apt. We lost the toss and the players switched ends.

I was concerned about the three at the back system but Sean was very short on options. The players weren’t familiar with it and it showed in the first half, but the effort and application was there. The lads seemed to have a determination about them and carved out opportunities. Stand in goalkeeper Mark Travers brilliantly thwarted Idrissa Gueye, and also James Garner much later in the half. We were doing all the right things, with the only real heart in mouth moment being when James Tarkowski lost possession and suddenly Bournemouth looked in business, but Yerry Mina did well to smother Dominic Solanke and prevent the goal. Before half time word had filtered around that Leicester City had scored. At that stage, I wasn’t so worried about it. I felt West Ham United still had plenty of time and ability to get back into the game, and the bottom line was that if we won we were fine. At half time I was saying to Chris and Michael that if we carry on the way we have done so far we’ll probably win the game.

And that we did, and what a way to do it. Demarai Gray should have put us ahead shortly before Abdoulaye Doucoure’s wonder strike, and I thought that could have been a penalty then also for the push on Conor Coady. Though anyway, at the time from the Gwladys Street view it was difficult to fathom how it happened. The ball just seemed to drop and out of nowhere Abdoulaye smashed a rocket into the net. It was bedlam as we all hugged and celebrated wildly. I looked at the clock finally and panicked a little as it dawned on me that there was still a heck of a long way to go.

Bournemouth rolled the changes though Everton were up to the task and for all their possession, Bournemouth didn’t create an awful lot. I was worried when Jordan Pickford went down injured. I felt he would be OK to carry on, but the consequence of additional time did worry me, and with justification when a whole 10 minutes were indicated. It was unbearable. Completely unbearable. And there were two key moments which could have changed everything. One when Jordan Pickford smartly beat away Matias Vina’s volley; the other when a perfect ball in to substitute Kieffer Moore should have been buried though with huge relief, Kieffer mistimed his run and didn’t take what was a huge opportunity. I don’t think people realise quite how big a let off that was.

Countless tackles and clearances were made as whistles drowned out any other sound around the stadium as we implored Stuart Attwell to blow for full time. And finally, not long after Idrissa Gueye had chased down a Bournemouth player and tackled the ball out for a throw in, there it was – full time. Everton had done it. We celebrated, though my thoughts soon turned to dismay at the pitch invasion. We’ve already been warned against this by the FA and hopefully they don’t punish us too severely. The vast majority that stayed in their seats shouted continuously at the supporters to leave the field. “Sack the board” was shouted around the stadium by supporters. It was a weird mix of euphoria and anger. Everton have to sort this mess out this Summer.

After a little while Ste and I made our way into town and congregated at The Denbigh Castle, where I was joined by some good friends who travelled over to celebrate with us. It’s worth pointing out that some of these were Liverpool fans and some Manchester United fans, but they wanted to be there with me whatever happened. I can’t speak for all their supporters of course but they, and most Liverpool fans I speak to want Everton in the league. City rivalry is important, and something teams like Leeds United and Newcastle United don’t have. It’s a special thing to have in a city.

The pub was amazing. Evertonians flocked all the way down the street and sung the evening away. We eventually moved on and called it a night at about midnight.

On our podcasts we’ve spoken a lot this season of managers, be that Frank Lampard or Sean Dyche, having to find a way. And credit to Sean for doing that, not just in the last game, but throughout his spell as Everton manager to date. He’s faced a lot of adversity with injuries but continued to find a way to get points, and he did it again yesterday. No full backs and no real striker. But he found a way. He’s going to need more help of course, and that’s for another day, but I’m grateful for the fact that he and the players, again found a way yesterday.

Up the Toffees!

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: He shanked quite a few kicks but was there when needed. Our player of the season for me. 7

Dwight McNeil: Did very well in a relatively inexperienced position of left wing back. He never stopped working. 7

James Tarkowski: He made one big mistake in the first half which could have been catastrophic but otherwise he was exemplary. 7

Conor Coady: I was made up for Conor to get the final say on the season. He’s had to wait patiently for an opportunity and hasn’t kicked up a fuss. He’s a specialist at three at the back and good on Sean for giving him the nod. Good luck to him in his next chapter, assuming it isn’t at Everton. 7

Yerry Mina: It’s a shame that Yerry wasn’t able to get back out there after the game to say farewell to the supporters. He was colossus yesterday, a real rock. It’s a shame he hasn’t been able to stay fit during his time at Everton. He seems a great guy but we absolutely have to move him on. Best of luck Yerry. 8

James Garner: Given he played out of position, I thought he did ever so well. He was committed, dogged, did the right things throughout and battled through cramp to drag us over the line. Outstanding spirit from James and due to him doing it out of position, he gets my man of the match. 8

Idrissa Gueye: He had his best game for us since his return and was unlucky not to score in the first half. A great effort from Idrissa. 8

Amadou Onana: I found him a bit frustrating in the second half as we tried to close the game out, not bad though. b

Alex Iwobi: He worked hard without spectacular end product though did quite well in flashes. 6

Abdoulaye Doucoure: I remember saying to Ste not long before Abdoulaye scored that I didn’t think he was having an especially good game, and then he turned up with that rocket. It wouldn’t be a last day of the season Everton survival without an outside the box screamer from an unlikely source. We’ve had Barry Horne, Gareth Farrelly and now Abdoulaye Doucoure. What a hit. What a goal. What an unlikely hero. 7

Demarai Gray: He tried very hard and had some good moments but lost his way in the second half I thought after he missed that great headed opportunity. He probably should have been substituted a bit earlier than he was. 5

Substitute:

Ellis Simms (for Demarai Gray): Put himself about and was a bit of nuisance value, which was pretty much all he was brought on for. 6

Paul Traill

Match Preview

Everton entered the final day of the Premier League with the threat of potential relegation still hanging over them, as it has been for most of the season, as they did what was required to beat Bournemouth thanks to a stunning volley from Abdoulaye Doucouré.

Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Vitalii Mykolenko, and Nathan Patterson, Sean Dyche goes without any recognised full-backs and only eight players on the bench, including two goalkeepers. Coleman, Godfrey, Davies, Townsend, and Vinagre are all out injured. 

Huge banners adorned the Gwladys Street as a wall of sound greeted the teams in the late May sunshine, Demarai Gray getting the game started and launching the ball out wide for a throw-in.  A big cheer for Gana Gueye making a determined sliding tackle but it was a very scrappy nervy, shapeless start to this massive game. 

Gray got forward but could not find a blue shirt with his cross. Doucouré tried to play forward but Gray was not on the same wavelength and Bournemouth tried to take the heat out of the game by slowing things down but McNeil got down to the byline, his cross going behind. McNeil was then exposed on the counter, Garner needing to block an attacker at the far post. And he had to repeat the feat on the next Bournemouth attack.

Everton were being repeatedly tested down their left flank, Mina having to head another cross clear. Everton got a free-kick but The Cherries defence was pretty impenetrable. Everton got some midfield possession and eventually got it forward, Gray trying to cut back and winning a corner. Gray smacked a fierce volley just over the angle. 

Everton looked to build another decent attack, McNeil's cross blocked behind for another corner that Tarkowski could not convert. Trakowsski was fouled as Bournemouth tried to counter, McNeil looping in his cross that Mina and keeper Travers went for.

Garner did well in defence and Everton got the ball up quickly but Onana's header at the far post lacked any direction. Garner was again impressive and seed to be fouled, then Senesi was in heavily on Gray. Some better movement saw Doucoure cross well but Gray had not advanced. 

Garner was having to do a solid job at right back, and Everton kept working the ball forward well until it went across the line into the Bournemouth penalty area. A really nice movement but it was the utterly dreadful shooter, Gueye who wrapped his foot around it and, to be fair, Travers got a fingertip to it but it was always going over. Nothing came of the corner.

Everton were applying some real pressure, Gana shooting again, forcing Travers to make a low save as Everton wanted not one but two penalty decisions, while the dreaded news seeped through that Leicester City had taken the lead at West Ham, pushing Everton down into the Bottom 3.

Tarkowski could not avoid giving away a corner that Bournemouth worked very cleverly, ending with a shot-cum-cross just across the Everton goal. Gray went down too easily trying to get the ball from Senesi. Onana then fired wide.

Gray tried to battle his way through three defenders but could not get a clear shot. Everton had to defend before mounting another attack but they were not getting any clear chances. Bournemouth then stole the ball off Tarkowski and it needed Yerri Mina to block the shot behind from Brooks, although they completely wasted their corner. 

Iwobi crossed in and Kelly put it behind for another Everton corner, taken by Gray. Garner crossed back in but Doucoure's ball in almost headed in by Mina but cleared by Traver s to Garner whose superb shot was heading for the top corner until Travers got across to paw it behind. Mina went down very easily on the next corner, but no penalty given. And that brought the half to an end with Everton, as ever, finding it very very hard to score.

With an incomprehensible scenario now playing out, Bournemouth restarted and kept possession, denying Everton the ball until Gray was fouled but nothing came of it. Doucouré went down under the slightest pressure.  Onana tried to advance but Kelly took him down. 

Nothing came of the free-kick but, from the follow-up, Gray looked to head in but weakly and Travers got down to save it on the line. Gana came in late on Brooks. On the counter, Quattara finally beat Garner and a wicked cross from Brooks almost went into the Everton net. More pressure from the Cherries had to be resisted before Pickford got a talking to for something.  

From another attack, Gana's cross was headed down to Doucoiure, who, like a man possessed, put his foot through the ball and powered a tremendous shot past Bournemouth, past Travers who didn't even move, and almost burst the Park End net, to the incredible relief of countless Evertonians. 

The atmosphere inside Goodison Park instantly flipped from numb and frustrated gloom to total and unbridled elation. But there was still a good half-hour to go as the club's precarious situation was underlined by Leicester City scoring a second against West Ham. 

It was frantic stuff as Bournemouth made changes and continued to threaten attacks, while Everton looked to hold on to their precious lead. 

Senesi once more took out Gray and this time he got a yellow card. Gray took he free-kick but it was poorly worked. Bournemouth attacked again and Pickford made a massive save, Coady clearing off the line, with Solanke then dragging Pickford down to try and stop him from defending his goal – why oh why was that not a red card from the VAR???

Pickford was very controlled under the circumstances as Mina went in on Solanke and the referee did his best but VAR should really have helped him.  Pickford needed extended treatment and was booked when he finally regained his footing. 

Onana was next to receive rough treatment from a very physical Bournemouth side. Then Coady was caught clearing off Viña. The visitors were simply not for lying down and going off "on the beach" – what a stupid notion. They kept building attacks to test the Everton defence. 

Another determined Bournnemoth attack almost broke through but for Tarkowski, and that set Onana off on a lively counter-attack, Gray striking the ball against his standing leg and behind for a goal-kick. 

Another clearance and Iwobi could counter but his cross to Gray was very poor, going out behind, much to Sean Dyche's annoyance. Another dangerous Bournemouth attack again causing serious nerves, Quattara then sending in a great cross that was just above Moore. 

The visitors simply would not back down, with Everton needing to respond to make the game safe. Iwobi tried with a good run but his shot was deflected wide as Gray was replaced by Simms.  Garner took the corner, a great delivery, and Tarkowski looked to get onto the second phase cross in. 

Everton needed to control the last few minutes of this game, but denying possession to the fervent Cherries was not easy by any means. Bournemouth got a free-kick as 10 minutes of added time were signalled.

Coady throw himself to deny Solanke, who trod on his leg as he was flagged offside. Onana was dragged down but nothing given, and then Gana fouled his man. A good ball in from Bournemouth and a fantastic volley from Vina, saved superbly by Pickford. 

McNeil released Doiucoure who tried to do it all himself, winning a corner for Everton. Iwobi played it short as they tried but failed to retain possession. Bournemouth came forward again but Mina was fouled by Moore. 

Everton tried to keep the ball in Bournemoth's half but The not so sweet Cherries had other ideas. However, Onana stood strong against Billing as the game entered its final minute of added time with Everton hoping against hope to keep the score unchanged. 

Everton: Pickford [Y:74'], Mina, Coady, Tarkowski, Iwobi, Gana, Onana, Garner, McNeil, Doucoure, Gray (86' Simms).

Subs: Begovic, Lonergan, Holgate, Keane, Maupay, McAllister,  Welch.

Bournemouth: Travers, Kelly, Brooks (56' Viña), Lerma, Solanke [Y:68'], Christie (65' Moore), Ouattara, Smith [Y:68'] (83' Anthony), Senesi [Y:68'], Zabarnyi, Billing.

Subs: Randolph, Stephens, Cook, Mepham, Stacey, Sadi.

Michael Kenrick

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