A year ago today, Everton’s Premier League status was on the line on the final day of the season for the third time. It was a nerve-shredding day for loyal but long-suffering Blues supporters but thankfully given that goal ensured the club avoided a first relegation in 72 years and has subsequently steered the team to safety again this term despite two separate points deductions, we can all look back on that high-stakes match with a sense of relief some 12 months on. Unlike ’s previous ‘Great Escapes’ from the drop on the last day of the campaign in 1994 – when they didn’t climb out of the drop zone until nine minutes from full-time – and 1998, their fate was at least in their own hands on this occasion.
With the status of Leicester City and Leeds United also at stake going into the final round of fixtures, between the battling trio’s respective games (all three were at home with Everton hosting Bournemouth, Leicester against West Ham United and Leeds facing Tottenham Hotspur) there were 27 different potential permutations in terms of respective wins, losses or draws. Some 17 of those scenarios left Everton safe with Leeds needing to win by three or more goals in a further two while just eight would see the Blues tumbling out of the top flight for the first time since 1951. However, regardless of all the ifs, buts and maybes, it was simple enough that if Dyche’s men won then they would stay up and there was nothing either of their other two rivals could do a.
