Jordan Pickford stars as Everton produce a stunning victory vs. Chelsea
Everton claimed a tense 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday, giving Frank Lampard’s side a vital boost as they battle against relegation.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several incredible saves to deny Chelsea a second-half equaliser after Richarlison put the home team ahead in the 46th minute. Richarlison celebrated in front of the Everton fans following his crucial winner, throwing a flare back into the crowd.
UP THE TOFFEES!!! ✊🔵#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/uMSjcQxSbc
— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2022
“It is what I am there for and it is a team effort at the end of the day, it is all about getting three points,” Pickford said.
“I really enjoyed it but that is what I am there to do, help the team. We cannot get too carried away, we have to keep fighting and the fans have played a massive part.
“The manager spoke at half-time and said to Richarlison to keep doing that and your chance will come. It shows working hard as a team and individuals and you’ll get rewards.”
Chelsea dominated possession for much of the game, but could not find their way through Everton’s defence, who put in a resolute display in Lampard’s first game against his former club since he left Stamford Bridge last year.
The press. The finish. 👌@richarlison97 👏#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/H20ueCW3HQ
— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2022
The result puts Everton just two points away from safety in 18th place, with a game in hand over relegation rivals Leeds United and Burnley.
Everton almost got off to a dream start when Anthony Gordon charged forward from kick-off, winning a free-kick just outside Chelsea’s box within 20 seconds but the resulting effort was curled over Edouard Mendy’s post.
A scrappy half ensued, with no clear goal scoring chances for either team. Chelsea dominated possession but Everton challenged them on the counter, while also providing no way through at the back by defending with every man behind the ball.
The home side’s efforts were rewarded immediately after the break, Richarlison calmly slotting the ball into the Chelsea net after pressuring Cesar Azpilicueta off the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box.
Their lead almost doubled just three minutes later when Abdoulaye Doucoure slipped the ball to Vitaliy Mykolenko to put him one-on-one with Mendy, but the Ukrainian sent his effort wide off the post.
Your MOTM today. Simply sensational. ⛔️@JPickford1 👏#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/uDiDWXGh2e
— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2022
Chelsea’s best chance came on 59 minutes when Mason Mount hammered a volley that ricocheted off both posts. Azpilicueta picked up the rebound and fired it towards Pickford’s goal, but the England goalkeeper did brilliantly to run to the other side of his net to deny the visitors an equaliser, before producing another terrific stop to block Antonio Rudiger from close range.
Everton continued to push for a second, with chances falling to Gordon and Demarai Gray before seven minutes were added on to set up a nervy period of extra time.
Pickford was called into action once again on 93 minutes to deny a close-range effort from Mateo Kovacic and Everton held on to secure the three points.
Kane, Son goals hand Tottenham a critical win in the bid for Champions League
Tottenham claimed a critical win in their bid for a top-four finish with a 3-1 win over Leicester on Sunday.
Big win that! Good to build some momentum for the huge games coming next. 💪 pic.twitter.com/tl6vvqfy7u
— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 1, 2022
Harry Kane headed Tottenham into the lead midway through the first half and Son-Heung Min doubled the lead on the hour. Son saved the best until last, curling a wonderful third with 11 minutes to go to put the gloss on the win.
The result was enough for Spurs to move into fourth, on 61 points, ahead of Arsenal’s match at West Ham later in the day. But Mikel Arteta’s men returned to the top four with a hard-fought 2-1 win, which put them two points ahead of Spurs in the battle for the final remaining Champions League place.
Apparently Heung-Min Son is right-footed? pic.twitter.com/NQXgVcKoSA
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2022
Leicester started the brighter of the two teams and almost took the league early on when Patson Daka shot towards goal but Hugo Lloris pushed his effort onto the post.
Moments later, Tottenham were ahead. Son floated over a corner and Kane headed in to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Spurs still looked vulnerable at times in the first half, though, with Daka proving lively and Kelechi Iheanacho also threatening for an away side that impressed with their attacking impetus.
Brendan Rodgers’ side continued to look for the equaliser in the second half but suffered a sucker punch when Son made it two. Cristian Romero made two crunching tackles in the lead-up and Son made no mistake to put Tottenham in control after good work from Dejan Kulusevski.
GOAL – Son
ASSIST – Kulusevski
ELITE TACKLES – Romero pic.twitter.com/L1WbUIwA2W— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2022
There was still time for a sumptuous third when Son received the ball outside the area and curled a stunning effort past Kasper Schmeichel
Iheancho grabbed a consolation in injury time but Antonio Conte’s side negotiated the remaining minutes to bag three big points, with a trip to title challengers Liverpool next week is a major obstacle in their bid to beat Arsenal to fourth place.
Son dismissed talk of him winning the Golden Boot but had clearly enjoyed his second goal.
Death.
Taxes.
Heung-Min Son finds Harry Kane. pic.twitter.com/7EB5opr1qM— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2022
“I was happy to score that really beautiful goal. When I hit it I could see the way the ball flew and I was happy to score that. But I’m happier to play well and get the three points,” he said.
“If I get the chances then I will try to score. The Golden Boot is always a dream but the team is most important. We want to finish in the Champions League and I want to play in the Champions League.”
Arsenal boost Champions League hopes with a narrow victory over West Ham
Arsenal boosted their hopes of a Champions League place when they beat West Ham United 2-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Gabriel netted a second-half header to secure all three points for the visitors as West Ham failed to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday.
Three 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 points!
⚒️ 1-2 🟡 (FT)#WHUARS pic.twitter.com/FPT0MGo9Yr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 1, 2022
Michel Arteta’s side went ahead late in the first half thanks to Rob Holding, but their lead was immediately cancelled out by a hammering volley from West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen.
The result sees Arsenal reclaim a top-four spot in the Premier League table after being leapfrogged by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Leicester 3-1 on Sunday.
It was a slow start, with both teams struggling to make anything out of spells of good possession, but the game came to life when Holding rose highest to nod in a Bukayo Saka corner on 39 minutes for his first goal since 2019.
West Ham nearly responded immediately through Declan Rice, but Aaron Ramsdale produced a great save to tip his effort over the crossbar.
Four games to go.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 to play for.Sit back, relax and enjoy the best of today’s action as we move back into the top four! 😎#WHUARS | Match highlights 📺 pic.twitter.com/3oV4uN1TAU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 1, 2022
Ramsdale could not stop Bowen on 45 minutes, however, with the forward’s equalising volley taking a slight deflection off Gabriel to move out of the goalkeeper’s reach and into the net.
West Ham continued to look dangerous after the break but it was Arsenal who struck first through Gabriel, who headed in on 54 minutes from a well-placed Gabriel Martinelli cross to put the visitors back in front.
Arsenal will be disappointed to not find a third, while West Ham were unable to get themselves back into the game to mathematically rule themselves out of a chance at a top-four finish.
Courtesy: ESPN FC