The Blues virtually secured third place in the 2021/22 Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. Thomas Tuchel’s men had already qualified for next season’s Champions League group stage earlier this week following Arsenal’s loss at Newcastle United. However, they can finish fourth, still, provided they lose and rivals Tottenham win and cover a +18 goal difference on the final matchday.
Chelsea fell behind in the sixth minute itself as James Maddison, given space in between the lines, whipped a shot past Edouard Mendy at his near post – and it seemed as if the Blues’ recent home woes would continue. They leveled things up in the 35th minute through a wingback-to-wingback goal, Marcos Alonso firing a volley off a Reece James cross.
The Blues probed for the winner throughout the second half, but a lack of creativity and some poor finishing let them down in the final third of the pitch.
At Goodison Park, Crystal Palace stunned the home support into silence with two goals before the interval. Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring in the 21st minute from a set-piece, and Jordan Ayew bundled over a second 15 minutes later. Adding to the tension on Merseyside was the fact that the Toffees’ relegation rivals Burnley took a lead into the break with them at Aston Villa, courtesy of Ashley Barnes from the spot.
But, the tide was to turn soon. With news filtering in that Villa had equalized against the Clarets, Everton mounted a remarkable comeback. Michael Keane pulled one back in the 54th minute from a set-piece, and Richarlison brought the Toffees level in the 75th minute with a deflected effort from close range.
The turnaround was complete 10 minutes later when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s diving header off a Demarai Gray cross put Everton ahead – and brought delirium inside the Goodison. Two pitch invasions ensued – one before the final whistle and one after – but, despite the disturbances, they held onto their narrow lead to confirm their Premier League status for another season.
