Richarlison
Richarlison has admitted the scenes following Everton’s miraculous come-from-behind victory against Crystal Palace were like nothing he has ever witnessed before in football – and that the club should never find itself in such a perilous position again.
Richarlison said: “The invasion of the crowd was something I had never witnessed in my career. They were all very distressed, worried about the situation, and in the end it was a relief for everyone to win and escape relegation. It was all very exciting.”
With Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew putting the Eagles two up before half-time, defeat would have left the Blues with the prospect of travelling to Arsenal on the final day of the season needing a result to ensure their safety. But after Michael Keane and Richarlison drew the sides level, the stage was set for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to grab a vital winner with a classic diving header, five minutes from full-time. The result secured Everton’s top-flight status for another year after what has been a hugely disappointing season.
Richarlison added: “It was one of the most special games of my career. A moment I will never forget. We went through a very difficult situation during the season, there was nothing calm during the year and what remains is the learning of all of us, because a team like Everton can no longer be in a situation like this.”
Having found themselves five points adrift of safety at one point, key victories against Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City and latterly Palace have rescued the Blues’ season.
