Premier League relegation battle LIVE: Results and reaction as Everton survive
Leeds and Leicester were both relegated on the final day of the season
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Everton secured Premier League survival over Leicester and Leeds on a nervous and tense final day. Needing to defeat Bournemouth to claim their place in the top-flight next season things looked bad for the Toffees as the visitors took the early initiative at Goodison Park.
At the King Power Stadium, Harvey Barnes gave Leicester the lead over West Ham with Leeds falling behind to Tottenham up at Elland Road. That was how things stood at half-time with the Foxes out of the relegation zone and Everton in trouble.
The second half began and Leeds fell further behind Spurs effectively putting them out of the battle. Leicester extended their lead over the Hammers to gain control of their and Everton continued to struggle.
Then, Abdoulaye Doucoure received the ball on the edge of the box and smoked home a wonderful strike to put Everton in front. Sean Dyche’s men lasted through 10 minutes of stoppage to collect their three points and clinch their place in the top-flight.
Relive the action from the Premier League final day below:
‘It is theatre’: Inside the emotional chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle
When players talk about the anguish of a final-day relegation battle, one of the main memories that most recall is the unsettling sense of quiet.
That isn’t when the final whistle goes, and reality sinks in. It is actually during the chaos, when something happens at another game, and the news seeps through to the crowd. The players realise something big has changed. It affects performance.
“The atmosphere and pressure is palpable,” says Gareth Farrelly, who was the decisive figure in one of the Premier League’s most famous final days 25 years ago.
This may yet be the decisive factor on Sunday...
‘It is theatre’: Inside the chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle
It’s the most emotional day in football – and now Everton, Leicester and Leeds must buckle up for the ride, writes Miguel Delaney
Premier League relegation battle
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the last day of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The title has been won by Manchester City and the spots for the Champions and Europa Leagues have been secured but today’s action is set to be as exciting as ever with three sides fighting to survive as well as Aston Villa and Tottenham challenging for the only place in the Europa Conference League.
Everton, Leeds and Leicester are all in with a chance of remaining in the top-flight but only one of those three teams will end the day happy. The Toffees have the easiest job on paper but must defeat Bournemouth to ensure their survival, anything less and they would be at the mercy of other results.
Leicester meanwhile have to defeat West Ham. With Everton two points ahead of them in the table, the Foxes need to collect three points and hope Bournemouth at least force a draw from the Toffees.
Finally, Leeds take on Tottenham. Like Leicester, Leeds must win but they have to defeat a team also searching for three points as Spurs hope to leapfrog Aston Villa into seventh and claim a place in the Europa Conference League.
We’ll have all the team news, build-up and updates throughout the day ahead of the 4.30pm kick offs so stick with us for what should be an exciting conclusion to the Premier League season.
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