Everton snatch late point at Wolves, Aleksandr Mitrovic scores brace in Fulham draw with Crystal Palace
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Published 20/05/2023 at 16:26 GMT
Everton were the first of the relegation-threatened sides to kick off in the Premier League this weekend, but they failed to take full advantage, earning only a point in a 1-1 draw with Wolves at Molineux. Elsewhere, Fulham dominated but couldn't find a winner against a spirited Crystal Palace side as the two London teams shared the points on Saturday.
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Everton pulled off a dramatic 1-1 draw with Wolves at Molineux, leaving The Toffees tottering on the brink of relegation on a busy day of Premier League action.
The Toffees began the day one point ahead of 18th-placed Leeds and were the first of the relegation-threatened sides to take to the pitch. They started with real determination, but could not find the breakthrough.
Instead, it was Hwang Hee-chan who struck first, putting the home side ahead in the 34th minute, somewhat against the run of play. With Everton piling up the shots and half chances at the other end, Adama Traore took the ball and raced into Toffees territory. A poor touch took him wide, but his low shot across goal could only be tipped away by England keeper Jordan Pickford.
Hwang was there to athletically side-foot home the rebound.
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Nathan Patterson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were both taken off injured in a disastrous first half for the visitors.
Amadou Onana took a nasty knock to the ankle shortly after the break, but struggled on.
Wolves were dominating and more than once saw shots fly just wide of Pickford’s goal. With half an hour to play, Everton were struggling to make any kind of impact.
Diego Costa was introduced for the home side and soon went down in the box. The Molineux crowd wanted a penalty, but the former Spain striker was flagged offside.
With 15 minutes left, the home fans were ole-ing their team's every touch.
Everton were piling forward, but Wolves had the freedom of Molineux to counter into. More than once Pickford was required to race out of his area to clear a dangerous long ball.
Nine minutes of added time were signalled for at the end of 90 minutes of play, just as Wolves broke again.
Matheus Nunes was one-on-one with Pickford, but Everton's goalkeeper refused to be beaten, getting a vital hand to the low shot.
In the 99th minute Pickford made his way forward for a late corner.
The initial ball in was cleared, but it was sent back in.
Wolves 'keeper Daniel Bentley flapped at the ball and Michael Keane backheeld the ball across goal to fellow centre back Yerry Mina who put away the dramatic equaliser.
Despite having avoided defeat, Everton's Premier League survival is no longer in their own hands ahead of next weekend's final round of fixtures. If Leeds beat West Ham on Sunday, The Toffees will kick off the final day in the drop zone.
Meanwhile, at Craven Cottage Fulham and Crystal Palace shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
Odsonne Edouard scored the opener for Palace after 34 minutes of a first half largely dominated by Fulham.
Eberechi Eze carried the ball into Fulham’s half with options to his left and right but waited for the arrival of Edouard who raced through the very ropey Fulham defence, received a well-weighted pass, and smashed his shot into the top corner.
It was the visitors’ first shot on target of the match.
Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised for The Cottagers from the penalty spot with a powerful, top-corner spot-kick just before the half-time whistle.
Tyrick Mitchell had conceded the penalty with a clumsy challenge on Harry Wilson.
Mitrovic gave the home side the lead on the hour mark, heading home powerfully from a well-placed Willian free-kick.
Fulham continued to dominate, but Palace clawed back an equaliser in the 84th minute when Joel Ward scrambled home in the chaotic aftermath of a half-cleared Michael Olise free kick.
Victory for Fulham would have secured a first finish ahead of local rivals Chelsea since 1983, but now The Cottagers must wait a little longer.
Elsewhere, Manchester United all but secured their place in the top four with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth . Casemiro's impressive first-half strike proved the difference.
Aston Villa looked set to continue their brilliant end to the season with a 1-0 win over Liverpool until Roberto Firmino struck a late equaliser on his final appearance at Anfield. The 1-1 draw keeps The Reds' slim Champions League hopes alive.
Earlier in the day Tottenham collapsed after an early Harry Kane goal to lose 3-1 at home to Brentford.
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