Everton news: Frank Lampard says Premier League survival his 'top' achievement in management
- Planet Sport writer
- 20 May 2022
Everton will be a Premier League club again next season after dramatic win over Crystal Palace.
Frank Lampard described Everton securing their Premier League status for next season as one of his finest achievements in football.
Everton came back from two goals down at half time at home to Crystal Palace to win 3-2 at Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagging the all-important winner five minutes from time.
The win leaves Burnley and Leeds to scrap it out on the final day to avoid filling the final relegation spot, with the Clarets currently in control of their own destiny.
"An incredible night," Lampard said. "I have been playing a long time, coaching a relatively short time, and am fortunate to be part of amazing things and this is right up there.
"It's right up there, possibly at the top. We had an amazing night at Leeds with Derby but this feeling was special: we didn't win anything tonight but the feeling is special."
There were wild scenes at the end of the game with thousands of Everton fans streaming onto the pitch to celebrate.
That drew criticism on social media, particularly from Liverpool fans, but Lampard says the fans had every right to celebrate survival, even if it is not where they ultimately want to be fighting for.
"Bring it on," Lampard said. "People who say you are celebrating staying up, but it means so much. People won't forget this.
"Evertonians will say that is very Everton but to do it is special night, the scenes are well deserved.
"What this means to the club from the top to the bottom, bottom to the top: fans, board, players, staff. That is special."
In Frank We Trust. ✊
— Everton (@Everton) May 19, 2022
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There were also some ugly scenes on the pitch as Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira appeared to be abused by an Everton fan before he himself lashed out.
He was generally happy with the way the pitch invasion was dealt with, though, saying: "The referee managed it really well."
"All that changed [at half time] was that we didn't respect the game as well as we did in the first half," he said.
"We were inviting too much pressure and we didn't move the ball quick enough and allowed them to build that momentum and confidence.
"It is about managing the game when winning 2-0 and we didn't do that well enough in the second half.
"We gave them hope and when we invited pressure they scored one goal, two goals, three goals - when we conceded that first goal it made it difficult for us."