The last time Crystal Palace came to Goodison Park, it really was a MUST win game for Everton.
But while the pressure obviously wasn’t at the same kind of levels this time, the same result was required for the Blues to recover from what had been a rough fortnight - and they responded in style to record their biggest victory of the season.
The sense of relief when Frank Lampard’s side came back from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 was huge as the result secured their top flight status and avoided what would have been a first relegation in 71 years despite what proved to be the joint lowest equivalent points total in the club’s history but having avoided that ignominy, Everton have been making steady progress this term yet still needed a result like this to show they can be more than functionary.
RECAP: Look back on how Everton vs Palace unfolded with goals, highlights and reaction
YOUR SHOUT: Rate the Everton players after 3-0 win against Crystal Palace
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, starting at Goodison for the first time since that famous night some 157 days ago, set them on their way with a coolly-taken 11 th minute strike that showed just what his side had been missing for all that time.
He promptly proceeded to produce a barnstorming Everton centre-forward’s display showing none of the tentative nature that has tempered his comeback so far.
Long-suffering Blues must have realised it was going to be a good day when even a VAR decision went their way to overturn an Anthony Gordon goal that was originally ruled out for offside but in truth there looked to be little doubt over its validity.
After there that there was a bit of fisticuffs with a melee that resulted in four bookings – three from Palace – but the needle just galvanised the home crowd and players further with Everton saving the best until last as substitute Dwight McNeil completed the rout by slotting home after a neat one-two with Iwobi and The Grand Old Lady really was ‘Singing the Blues.’
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