Everton 1-0 Bournemouth: Player ratings as Doucoure strike saves Toffees from relegation
FROM GOODISON PARK - Everton secured their Premier League status with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Everton came into the game knowing their fate was in their own hands, but with nearly an hour to play at Goodison Park, their 72-year stay in the top-flight looked over as Leicester were doing their bit and beating West Ham, but then up stepped Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Malian international midfielder thundered home a strike from the edge of the box to give the Toffees the lead, which they would not relinquish.
The game was a real contrast in styles from the off with Sean Dyche's side playing long and direct at every chance, while Gary O'Neil's Bournemouth tried to keep the ball whenever possible.
The first real chance of the game came five minutes in through Jefferson Lerma, who was making his farewell appearance for the Cherries, but he fired over the bar after good work from Cherries captain Adam Smith.
It wasn't until 15 minutes into the match that the home fans were roused as they witnessed their side's first real opportunity, as Demarai Gray found room in the box but cross-cum-shot was deflected behind by Marcos Senesi.
On the half-hour mark,Everton created a great chance as Amadou Onana sent Idrissa Gueye clear, but Mark Travers was at his best to tip the ball over.
Just as Gueye missed his chance, news that Leicester had taken the lead filtered through to Goodison Park as the Bournemouth fans began chanting 'you're going down with Southampton'.
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At the start of the second half, Travers was once again at his best to make a very good stop to deny Gray after Mina's flick-on, but there was nothing he could do as Everton took the lead just minutes later.
Bournemouth failed to clear a long ball played up to Onana before a loose ball fell to Doucoure on the edge of the box, and he fired home to give Everton the all important lead.
That set-up a very nervous last 20-minutes despite fireworks going off over the Gwladys Street end.
Everton did well on 70-minutes to keep out substitute Kieffer Moore, but Pickford helped scramble the ball away before a lengthy stoppage after the England number one had a coming together with Solanke.
The last ten minutes were full of nerves for the home side, before another ten minutes of injury time was added on which enabled Bournemouth to push on and they were denied by a great save from Pickford who pushed away a brilliant volley from Matias Vina.
Bournemouth kept coming, but Everton held firm to record one of the most important victories in their modern day history.
Everton player ratings (5-1-3-1)
GK: Jordan Pickford (C) - 8/10 - Brilliant late stop from Vina kept Bournemouth at bay.
RWB: James Garner - 7/10 - Not his natural position but did a good job and provided some good width.
CB: Conor Coady - 7/10 - Good battle against Solanke for much of the game, did his job well.
CB: Yerry Mina - 6/10 - A real threat in the Bournemouth box and won some crucial headers.
CB: James Tarkowski - 5/10 - Error prone throughout, looked a real weak link in defence.
LWB: Dwight McNeil - 8/10 - One of Everton's best players worked his socks off up and down the pitch and put numerous good crosses into the box.
DM: Idrissa Gueye - 7/10 - Very solid, effective in possession and held the middle of the park well.
CM: Amadou Onana - 7/10 - Came into the game in the second-half and worked really hard for the team.
CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure - 9/10 - What a goal. He'll go down as a folk legend at the club for his performances at the end of this season.
CM: Alex Iwobi - 6/10 - Tidy enough, kept his shape.
CF: Demarai Gray - 5/10 - Not his role up-front but did what he could.
Substitutes
SUB: Ellis Simms (85' for Gray) - 6/10 - N/A.
Subs not used: Asmir Begovic, Andy Lonergan, Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Neal Maupay, Sean McAllister, Reece Welch
Manager
Sean Dyche - 7/10 - His team played to his orders and they won...so not too bad, despite it looking awful.
Bournemouth player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Mark Travers - 6/10 - Made some good saves and could not do much with the goal.
RB: Adam Smith (C) - 6/10 - Really positive in the first-half and created numerous chances.
CB: Marcos Senesi - 7/10 - Very solid and almost scored, commanded the back-line well.
CB: Illia Zabarnyi - 6/10 - Showed some nice touches and made some big blocks.
CM: Jefferson Lerma - 6/10 - Worked hard but at times struggled to get into the game.
CM: Philip Billing - 6/10 - Was busy enough but played deeper than usual and that didn't help his natural game.
RW: David Brooks - 7/10 - Full of energy for the first hour but then tired and was taken off.
CAM: Ryan Christie - 6/10 - Some nice touches and a constant outlet for his side.
LW: Dango Ouattara - 6/10 - Good when coming in off the flank, but didn't do it enough.
CF: Dominic Solanke - 6/10 - Had some half chances but battled well against Coady and his colleagues.
Substitutes
SUB: Matias Vila (55' for Brooks) - N/A
SUB: Kiefer Moore (65' for Christie) - N/A
SUB: Jaidon Anthony (82' for Smith) - N/A
Subs not used: Darren Randolph, Jack Stephens, Lewis Cook, Chris Mepham, Jack Stacey, Dominic Sadi
Manager
Gary O'Neil - 6/10 - His team played the better football throughout - switching to back three didn't really help.