Everton's recent victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park could be a huge turning point in the context of the season.
A brilliant show of support before the match carried vital momentum into the ground, and the Toffees were able to secure a 1-0 win against Thomas Tuchel's men.
The winning goal from Richarlison was massive - but so were two excellent saves in quick succession from Blues keeper Jordan Pickford.
A game to be treasured, especially given the incredible coach welcome.
But which of the significant contributions on the pitch was the true defining moment of the match? Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley have their say.
READ MORE: Everton favourite Tony Hibbert set for emotional return to city
READ MORE: Everton players must follow Frank Lampard relegation rule even if fans cannot
He's Brazilian...
Joe Thomas: Richarlison's goal set the tone for the second half.
Everton's players have repeatedly shown they are up for the fight in recent weeks, that they have passion and determination to keep the club in the Premier League. What has been missing on occasion is composure and quality.
This was particularly evident at Liverpool, where Everton found themselves in promising positions in the final third but were unable to carve out clear opportunities. At home to Leicester City they created better chances but were unable to finish them until Richarlison's late equaliser.
Goodison Park was a confused place at half-time on Sunday. It was hard to work out whether a draw would have been a good result or not, and nerves were a bit fraught when Chelsea pushed forward. Richarlison just took all that anxiety away in the opening seconds of the second half.
It inspired the players and provided the fuel for the crowd to return Goodison Park to the cauldron it had been at the beginning of the game.
Pickford's saves were brilliant, crucial, vital moments integral to the win - but, for me, Richarlison's goal lifted Everton's players and fans and provided the foundation for the victory.
It also showed Everton could punish Chelsea, that the reigning European champions were vulnerable at the back, and I think that gave everyone in Goodison additional belief.
England's number one...
Chris Beesley: I said on the Royal Blue podcast that Jordan Pickford’s save from Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta was as good as anything I ever saw from Neville Southall and with those words I cannot pay the current Everton goalkeeper any higher compliment. Southall is the undisputed doyen of Goodison Park custodians, not just someone who went on to set the club’s appearance record and became their most-decorated player but a bona fide world-class performer who at the peak of his powers was the best in the planet at what he did.
Even if you watch his best saves back now on grainy YouTube footage, they make you gasp, but the same goes for Pickford’s block on the line to keep out an effort from the west London’s side’s captain that he has no right to get near to. Alan Shearer reckoned it was “a contender for save of the season” but I think the Newcastle United legend is doing the former Sunderland man a disservice there with fellow BBC pundit Garth Crooks closer to the mark when he described it as “the most miraculous double-handed save I’ve seen since Gordon Banks saved Pele’s header in the 1970 World Cup.”
It really was that good and if Everton stay up, it could be priceless. Richarlison’s goal was crucial and he did well to close down his opponent – Azpilicueta again being the fall guy – but as someone who also plays centre-forward for Brazil, he should be gifted enough to be finding the net more often and is still five goals shy this term of matching his Premier League totals of 13 from both his first two seasons on Merseyside. In truth, the Blues had big chances to extend their lead with Vitalii Mykolenko spurning a golden opportunity shortly after the goal and Demarai Gray also off target when wide open.
Pickford though, produced something that was truly special and he followed that up with a brave stop with his face to close down an effort that Antonio Rudiger had caught plumb and also got down well to his right to read a low Mateo Kovacic shot. He’s England’s number one on merit but while some of his compatriots possess either a petty-minded prejudice towards his talents or just sheer ignorance, Frank Lampard and Evertonians realise how important he is to their cause.
*Which moment did you celebrate more? Have your say in the comments section below.
