Huge Everton fan and former boxer Tony Bellew has shared what he told the Everton players in the dressing room after they secured Premier League safety in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.
Frank Lampard 's side came from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Goodison Park. The sensational second-half comeback ensures they will be playing in the English top flight next season.
The result also ensures there is no pressure heading into a huge game against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. Bellew says they should never have been in a relegation fight in the first place, but the manner in which they got the job done was 'unbelievable'.
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He told talkSPORT : “I have just been in the dressing room and seen all the lads, I just said ‘What you have just done is unbelievable’, I understand it’s not good enough by the standards and the money paid for that squad, they should never be in that position but to get out of it tonight in that manner.
“I thought I had seen it all because I was in my season ticket the last time this happened against Wimbledon, and I was in my season ticket for the Coventry game and I thought I had literally seen it all against Wimbledon, I never thought I would see that again and I have witnessed it again with my kids tonight.”
Bellew also praised manager Lampard, who joined the club in January after they parted ways with Rafa Benitez. The former WBC cruiserweight world champion says the players have taken to the boss and all 'fought for him'.
He added: “I have shed tears of joy, I have shed tears of anger.
"I have been speaking to him (Lampard) earlier today and he has been given a squad there of five different managers all gelled into one. I can’t swear on the radio but it’s just a bit of a mess of a situation that has been dealt to him.
"What I will say is all the lads love him and they have all fought for him. As you have seen the spirit of Everton football club has shone through, and them fans are the reason where Everton are where they are and are who we are. We are the identity of the club, we have seen what we are willing to go through. We will not give in no matter what.”
