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Abdoulaye Doucoure an unlikely saviour as Everton avoid relegation

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with his team-mates during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park - Getty Images/Chris Brunskill

By Chris Bascombe at Goodison Park

From exile to immortality, Abdoulaye Doucouré joined the ever-expanding roll call of Everton ­saviours. With respect, he and everyone associated with the Merseyside club will hope he is the last of his kind.

For Barry Horne against Wimbledon in 1994, read Doucouré against Bournemouth in 2023, midfielders considered among the least likely to smash 22-yard volleys which stave off relegation and transform agony into euphoria. Doucouré was sent to train alone by Frank Lampard last January, involved in a bust-up which would have facilitated his Goodison departure had the manager not left first.

Now he has a new contract and the certainty of being remembered as the epitome of Sean Dyche’s modern “dogs of war” thanks to one of the most consequential goals in Everton history. Everton had been toiling for 57 minutes. News of Leicester City’s lead over West Ham had temporarily turned the mood from unfiltered support to anxiety-ridden foreboding, and visiting fans were chanting mockingly about imminent visits to Coventry.

Then Idrissa Gueye delivered a long diagonal pass in the direction of Amadou Onana, and the second ball fell invitingly enough for Doucouré to tee up the shot, but not so comfortable as to predict what followed. He paused, hammered past Mark Travers and Everton’s status as a member of England’s top flight extended to a 70th year.

Fans of Everton celebrate after their sides victory, which secures their position in the Premier League next season, in the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park - Getty Images/Jan Kruger
Fans of Everton celebrate after their sides victory, which secures their position in the Premier League next season, in the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park - Getty Images/Jan Kruger

“Never in doubt … apart from all the doubts,” quipped Dyche as he entered the press room.

There was unbridled joy, there was relief, and there were pyrotechnics long after full time. Yet, after the initially manic celebrations provoked the now traditional pitch invasion, Goodison Park was also bathed in a sort of euphoric rage, albeit not as angst-ridden as many feared.

This was always going to be a day of conflicting emotions, the glee of victory balanced by the rancour that Everton found themselves flirting with sporting disaster for a successive season. Doucouré’s winner seemed to signify how and why Dyche was able to lead Everton to safety – the manager and his team somehow finding enough golden nuggets when it mattered amid the debris of another terrible campaign played amid the usual dramas of sackings, fans’ unrest, and a boardroom so unpopular its members had to watch the excruciating finale unfold on television.

The build-up to the moment of truth was scruffy, pragmatic and all about playing the percentages. Dyche has spent weeks talking about mentality above technique, organisation and willpower compensating for the limitations of an imbalanced squad.

“Fight for us” read the banner in the Park End before kick-off, the toxicity of recent months cast aside for 90 minutes.

Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton celebrates victory at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth - Getty Images/Will Palmer
Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton celebrates victory at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth - Getty Images/Will Palmer

Injuries meant Dyche had to find a new formation, discarding his favoured four at the back, and it took 15 minutes for a passing sequence and a semblance of a plan to emerge, Yerry Mina striding onwards to feed Demarai Gray to win a corner. Cue a stirring roar, the stadium an explosion of hope. Too often that optimism felt blind, especially in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence, the lack of a No 9, a chief contributor to Dyche’s myriad of problems since his appointment.

When Everton threatened it tended to be through Dwight McNeil, a makeshift left wing-back, whose crossing relied on midfield runners acting as target men. The attacks were haphazard and frantic, McNeil receiving possession being the trigger for a choreographed charge into the six-yard box.

Everton’s most likely source always looked like being the long ball into a congested penalty area. Bournemouth’s desire to withstand the barrage will have enthused every Leicester fan flicking channels until Doucouré’s wonder strike. The Mali international’s winner was worthy of more stellar games than a relegation decider – an anomaly comparable to the 5-1 win at Brighton, where no one was quite sure where it came from, just appreciative it did.

Within an hour of the final whistle, Dyche gave his most impressive public performance since being appointed, his honest appraisal of the club’s predicament as brutal as one of the feisty tackles his midfielders delivered in the 10 minutes of injury time.

He spoke of reality checks and of the likelihood that more grinding football will be forthcoming until player upgrades are affordable, and before a coaching “fashionista” can assume control to satisfy the purists.

Emboldened to speak freely, Dyche seemed to understand the frustration of the supporters whose nightmares almost came to pass again, despite dire early-season warnings. He sounded like he was making a pitch to the majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, eager to assume authorship of the future planning. Given how little was learnt a year ago, can he be sure anyone above him has the wisdom to ensure this was not delaying the inevitable?

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton reacts to the fans during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on May 28, 2023 in Liverpool, England - Getty Images/Naomi Baker
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton reacts to the fans during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on May 28, 2023 in Liverpool, England - Getty Images/Naomi Baker

This will ultimately be remembered as Everton’s not-so-great escape, unedifying and inglorious until the final weeks when that stunning win against Brighton shifted momentum. With two wins in their final 10 games, Everton effectively drew themselves to safety, staying up with a meagre points total, grateful that their ­bottom-three rivals’ understanding of the textbook detailing how to run a football club with ineptitude was just a little bit superior.

Moshiri arrived at Everton shooting for the stars. Instead, twice in 12 months, Evertonians have feared an asteroid strike.
But for all that, those supporters deserved the moment of ecstasy which Doucouré and the referees’ whistle supplied, ensuring that another day of destiny ended with the skies above Goodison showered with fireworks.

Everton avoid the drop: As it happened . . .


07:05 PM

Dean Smith

"I thought that was our best performance. I thought when we came in we needed 11 points and we got nine. I didn't ask about the Everton score, I didn't want to know. I wanted to make sure we did our job.

"I have been interim manager and I have failed on my part. The Leeds and Everton ones are where two points got away from us."


06:52 PM

Leicester

So Dean Smith was appointed on 10 April. I make that eight games he has been in charge. The win today, they beat Wolves. That was it. Three draws in there too. Three defeats. You wonder whether not playing the best players against Newcastle last time out was a wise move. I like Leicester but they can have few complaints, that defence has been pretty awful all season.

A young Leicester City fan - Michael Regan/Getty Images
A young Leicester City fan - Michael Regan/Getty Images

06:49 PM

Sean Dyche talks to Sky

"Obviously it means a lot to me. I took over what was called a broken club. It wasn't broken, but there were some cracks.

"We have maintained the belief, the mentality has been great. But we shouldn't be here. You are only a big club if you are doing big club things."


06:46 PM

Leicester

leave the Premier League after nine seasons, including one of course that they won. An FA Cup and Europe in there, too. No consolation right now but what a ride it was.


06:44 PM

Leeds are down and out

Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson shows his disappointment - Reuters

06:41 PM

Leicester players accept their fate

Leicester City's Wout Faes and James Maddison look dejected - Action Images via Reuters

Will that be Maddison's last act in a Leicester shirt?


06:39 PM

Gary


06:37 PM

Scenes at Goodison Park


06:36 PM

Twin Impostors: update


06:33 PM

Leeds fan gets on pitch

A Leeds United fan invades the pitch - Getty Images Europe
A Leeds United fan invades the pitch - Getty Images Europe

06:32 PM

Everton are staying up!

They beat Bournemouth 1-0 at Goodison, they have done just enough and the win over seals Everton's Premier League status for another year. And it condemns Leicester City and Leeds to the drop.


06:30 PM

Everton look like they are going to do it

Bournemouth going nowhere fast, and they're not all that bothered either way. Everton have the ball. It's out for a throw. Everton still have it.


06:28 PM

All eyes on Everton then

They've got another three minutes to hold on.


06:27 PM

Full time: Leeds United 1 Tottenham 4

That's all over at Elland Road, and to be honest, it was all over for a while there. Leeds are relegated.


06:27 PM

Full time: Leicester 2 West Ham 1

They've done all they could today, but as it stands Leicester are going down.


06:26 PM

Spurs have made it 4-1 at Elland Road

that really puts the cherry on the top for Leeds.


06:25 PM

What a save from Pickford for Everton

Ball hoofed forward, Moore heads it down for Vina, who meets it with a crunching volley. Pickford parries it to safety. Woah what a hit, and a really good save from the England man.


06:22 PM

Bournemouth carrying a threat

Solanke surges through but is caught offside, excellent defending from Everton's Coady nonetheless. A long way off actually, the Brighton striker.


06:21 PM

Added time

Six minutes at Leicester and a stonking TEN MINUTES of added time at Goodison Park, thanks to that injury on Pickford.


06:17 PM

86 minutes on the clock at Goodison

And Everton are having a couple of corners. Everton managing to play in the Bournemouth final third, which will do nicely. Tarkowski heads the ball over.


06:10 PM

GOAL! West Ham score

That makes it 2-1, Fornals the scorer.

Still good enough for Everton but just imagine if Bournemouth pinch one at Goodison.....


06:07 PM

Spicy at Goodison right now

Gary O'Neil, the Bournemouth manager, is going in the book. Vina and Smith clash, Mina joins in and sorts Vina. The similar sounding names are completely too much for Merse, who has had a meltdown on Sky Sports News.

Here is Jason Burt: "Huge delay here at Goodison Park as Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford receives treatment after a scramble in the penalty area and also clashing with Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke. Means this game will probably still be being played as the others end."

Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring Everton's goal - PA
Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring Everton's goal - PA

06:05 PM

West Ham fans serenade Leicester

"Two nil up, and you're going down". This is all factually correct.

Here are those Leicester fans.

LCFC fans looking glum - PA
LCFC fans looking glum - PA

06:03 PM

What's this at Everton?!

Solanke seems to be suggesting that Mina has bitten him. "Has he had a nibble?" asks Gary Neville.

Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford has hurt his finger but he is carrying on, and now he has been booked by Stuart Atwell.

Jason Burt: "Absolute pandemonium inside Goodison Park as Everton score. Noise is incredible as the pyrotechnics are set off. Really is ear-splitting as the Everton fans go absolutely crazy."


06:02 PM

All happening at Elland Road

Leeds have scored one, thanks to Harrison, but the celebrations are short lived because Kane nets for Spurs just a couple of minutes later. Leeds 1 Spurs 3


05:58 PM

Here's the moment for Everton

Abdoulaye Doucoure crashes home a drive that might secure Everton's PL status - PA
Abdoulaye Doucoure crashes home a drive that might secure Everton's PL status - PA

05:56 PM

Here's the table as it stands


05:52 PM

GOAL! Leicester have the second

It's Faes with a header, making it 2-0 but if Everton win, it matters not if Leicester score two or 20.

Leicester 2 West Ham 0 (Faes 62)


05:47 PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! EVERTON!!!!!

Doucoure! It's a fine strike and it means that Everton, as it stands, are staying up. The ball was bouncing around just outside the Bournemouth box, up stepped Doucoure and he smacks it with a tremendous volley, no chance for the keeper and Goodison goes wild.

Here is Chris Bascombe: "Not sure Goodison has ever been so loud after Doucoure's shot hit the net."


05:42 PM

Evertonians turning to prayer

Everton fan - Reuters
Everton fan - Reuters

Everton should be ahead. Gray is in the six yard area and he has a chance to head it home, but he has fluffed his lines and nodded it tamely straight at the keeper. Dear me. That was a gilt-edged chance.


05:39 PM

GOAL! It's two for Spurs

and Leeds United now look doomed.

Kane sets it up with a bit of class, flicking the ball over the head of an opponent, powers forward, slips it to Porro out on the right, who tucks it away with a cool finish.

And the Elland Road fans are making their feelings known, Luke Edwards reports: "The Leeds fans have had enough, serenading the players with chants about not being fit to wear the shirt before turning their anger on the board, urging owner Andrea Radrizzani to sell up and head home to Italy (this is the polite version). Just as they had in the first half, Leeds conceded inside the first two minutes of the second half, Kane passing through the middle of the defence for Pedro Porro to score. It looks like Leeds' three year stay in the Premier League is over."


05:37 PM

Doesn't sound like

Everton are making any changes just yet.


05:36 PM

Back underway

At Everton and Leicester, just about to restart at Leeds.


05:35 PM

Soccer Special

funny bits and clips now on Sky. A lot of yelping. Very good.


05:28 PM

Here is Luke Edwards

"Leeds have huffed and puffed and have dominated territory and possession, but outside of set pieces they lack a goal threat. Been a problem all season and their club record January signing, a forward, Georginho Rutter, is on the bench.

"The failure to get their recruitment right is as much to blame as anything else for their predicament and the young Frenchman looked an odd signing when he arrived and three different managers have not trusted him to start games! So what was the point in signing him?

"There were a few boos from the home crowd at half time but the Leeds fans are keeping their spirits up with some gallows humour, including the chant "'Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again'..."


05:27 PM

Been a bruising afternoon

so far for those of an Everton persuasion.

AFC Bournemouth's Adam Smith in action with Everton's Dwight McNeil - Reuters
AFC Bournemouth's Adam Smith in action with Everton's Dwight McNeil - Reuters

05:18 PM

Half time situation

Leicester are the first to finish their first half. Leicester lead West Ham 1-0 and as it stands Leicester are staying up.

Leeds are trailing Spurs 1-0.

Everton are 0-0.

Here is Jason Burt: "Half-time at Goodison Park and Everton have done nowhere near enough to gain the win that would guarantee their Premier League survival. They are paying a heavy price for not having a centre-forward, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and, so far, it has been far too comfortable for Bournemouth. Everton becoming increasingly desperate in appealing for penalties but are being rightly ignored by referee Stuart Attwell."


05:16 PM

Everton panic stations

Tarkowski with a blunder, he's let Bournemouth in.... Mina with a key block to deny Solanke.

But now here come Everton, two good saves in a row from the Bournemouth keeper.


05:12 PM

Here's Harvey Barnes

with what might prove to be a priceless goal.

Leicester City's Harvey Barnes scores their first goal past West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski - Reuters
Leicester City's Harvey Barnes scores their first goal past West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski - Reuters

Quality.


05:11 PM

Leeds

Spurs very close to making it two as Harry Kane receives the ball but, surprisingly for Harry, his touch lets him down.


05:06 PM

GOAL! Leicester are 1-0 ahead

Harvey Barnes with a big of magic, cutting in from the left and slipping it home, that is a lovely bit of class under a lot of pressure. Leicester 1 West Ham 0

And this means that Leicester leapfrog Everton, and the Toffees are going down as it stands.


05:02 PM

Nearly, nearly for Everton

Everton looking pretty good now, Gana drives forward and lets rip. Tipped over the bar.

Sean Dyche going for it - Getty
Sean Dyche going for it - Getty

Here is Jason Burt: "Almost the goal Everton dream of as Amadou Onana plays in Idrissa Gana Gueye, whose shot is superbly tipped over by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers. In a sign of how much it means Onana drops to the turf and beats the ground with frustration with his right hand. Meanwhile Everton fans getting frustrated at what they feel is time wasting by Bournemouth."


04:59 PM

Leicester just went

very close. Iheanacho has clipped the bar.


04:58 PM

Meanwhile...

... at the other end of the table, if you want to check in on the race for the European places, follow with this blog.

Here is Luke Edwards at Elland Road: "Leeds have actually played really well since conceding and have pinned Spurs back inside their own half. Robin Koch definitely should have equalised with a free header eight yards out and Adam Forshaw has just had a goal bound effort deflected wide. There is a mood of defiance inside Elland Road and the team do look capable of getting back into this match and with it the survival fight -- "


04:54 PM

As it stands

Everton, who are getting into it a bit against Bournemouth, are staying up.

Leeds, trailing at home to Spurs, are going down, and Leicester along with them.

Here is Jason Burt from Goodison Park: "Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers is down injured and manager Gary O'Neil uses the time while he is treated for a tactical team talk. Everton have gradually been getting on top, without really threatening but with the crowd behind them their momentum could be crucial. Predictably frantic but the fans really are trying to will Everton over the line."


04:50 PM

Sam hearing that the buffet's vegan-only

Sam Allardyce, Manager of Leeds United, reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur - Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Sam Allardyce, Manager of Leeds United, reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

04:45 PM

Paul Merson on Everton

"If you were a Leicester fan you would be well pleased with how Bournemouth are doing [at Goodison]. I thought Everton would come out a hundred miles an hour but Bournemouth are comfortable and the crowd are getting a bit restless."


04:43 PM

Bit more on Kane

has he nailed the Leeds coffin shut?


04:38 PM

Bianca Westwood

with a nice bit about a legend of the game departing, much loved, gives it the big build up.... and says Frank Lampard's caretaker spell at Chelsea is coming to a close.

Jeff Stelling: "One of the nice things about leaving will be not having to link to Bianca every week."


04:34 PM

Harry Kane!

has netted for Spurs at Leeds, side foot finish, that's Harry's 31st goal of the season and Leeds are 0-1 down before you know it.

The worst start for Leeds, cut open, and the marksman Kane did the rest. They did check it for offside but Var is not going to come to Leeds' rescue.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates - Stu Forster/Getty Images
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates - Stu Forster/Getty Images

Here is m'colleague Luke Edwards: "Oh dear, if this is his last game for Spurs Harry Kane has marked in with a goal after less than two minutes, a first time shot swept beyond Leeds goalkeeper Joel Robles. Incredibly, embarrassingly, Kane had been left completely unmarked inside the area by a team that lined up with a five man defence."


04:33 PM

Kick off

at the three grounds. West Ham have got an early corner, Leicester clear it.


04:30 PM

Andre Marriner

is reffing his final Premier League game. The West Midlands whistler famously sent off the wrong Arsenal player in 2014.


04:26 PM

Foxes fans

Leicester fans - Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Leicester fans - Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

04:21 PM

Meanwhile....

it's penalties in Stockport vs Carlisle in the play off... Carlisle have done it! Jeff Stelling, of course, has the key stat to hand - the lad who has tucked the winning pen away for Carlisle had only ever scored one goal for the club.. Carlisle are going into League One, congratulations.


04:20 PM

Kick offs imminent

kick off is coming up about ten minutes from now. We will be following all three of these games as Everton play at home to Bournemouth, Leeds United at home to Tottenham and Leicester City at home to West Ham United.

Not directly relevant to relegation of course, but could be a significant day in the career of this Premier League great. Could this be Harry Kane's last game for Spurs.

Harry Kane - Action Images via Reuters
Harry Kane - Action Images via Reuters

04:15 PM

And here is Chris Bascombe

from Everton.

"Already a hum of anxiety around Goodison pre-match. Dyche is moving from his favoured 4-4-2 because of injuries and the back five is currently rehearsing its offside trap, James Garner assuming the right wing back role. Where will Everton;s matchwinner come from? Set-plays, set-plays. set-plays."


04:14 PM

Here's Luke Edwards

Luke has got his eye on Leeds for us.

"Is this going to be Harry Kane's last game for Tottenham? Is this going to be Sam Allardyce's final game as a Premier League manager. Will Leeds keep him on if they are relegated to try and get them out of the Championship?

There are so many questions hanging in the air at Elland Road but the main one is can Leeds pull off a mission impossible style escape, save themselves from relegation and send Everton and Leicester down instead?

The mood among fans, having spoken to a few on the way here, is that this is going to be a step too far and life in the Championship beckons again. We shall see."


04:03 PM

Permutations/who needs what

What do Everton, Leicester or Leeds need to avoid relegation?

One of three will survive. Everton's fate is in their own hands. If they beat Bournemouth at Goodison Park they will survive and Leicester and Leeds will be relegated.

Leicester must beat West Ham at home. Dean Smith’s team have a superior goal difference to Everton, so a victory combined with dropped points by Everton would see Leicester stay up and Everton go down.

Leeds need to beat Spurs and hope the other two results go their way. In all likelihood, Leeds require three points, Leicester failing to win and an Everton defeat to stay up.

There is a scenario in which a Leeds win and Everton draw sees Allardyce’s team finish above Everton on goals scored or goal difference. However, this would require Leeds to win by three goals or more.

Leicester’s goal difference is significantly better than Leeds’s though, so the Yorkshire club would still need Leicester to drop points in order to stay up.


03:59 PM

Sean Dyche

"We are stretched today, but we think we have put a team out that can take on the challenge. Our mentality has been growing and I want to see that more today."


03:58 PM

Jordan PIckford on Sky

"We need full commitment, the fans are right behind us."


03:57 PM

Not even started yet...

.... and this chap can't watch!

fan at Goodison - PA
fan at Goodison - PA

03:56 PM

Leeds wall

A mural of former players Paul Madeley, Jack Charlton and Peter Lorimer is seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road - Gareth Copley/Getty Images
A mural of former players Paul Madeley, Jack Charlton and Peter Lorimer is seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

03:37 PM

Teams for Leeds

Leeds: Robles, Ayling, Kristensen, Wober, Cooper, Struijk, McKennie, Forshaw, Koch, Harrison, Rodrigo. Subs: Meslier, Firpo, Aaronson, Roca, Summerville, Rutter, Gnonto, Greenwood, Mullen.

Tottenham Hotspur: Forster, Emerson, Sanchez, Lenglet, Davies, Porro, Bissouma, Skipp, Son, Kulusevski, Kane. Subs: Richarlison, Danjuma, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr, Austin, Craig, Alonso, Abbott.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)


03:36 PM

Teams for Leicester

Leicester: Iversen, Castagne, Faes, Evans, Thomas, Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes, Iheanacho. Subs: Vardy, Smithies, Souttar, Amartey, Daka, Ricardo Pereira, Mendy, Praet, Tete.

West Ham: Fabianski, Kehrer, Coufal, Aguerd, Cresswell, Downes, Rice, Benrahma, Lucas Paqueta, Fornals, Antonio. Subs: Zouma, Lanzini, Areola, Cornet, Ings, Bowen, Ogbonna, Soucek, Emerson Palmieri.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)


03:32 PM

Teams for Everton

Everton: Pickford, Coady, Mina, Tarkowski, McNeil, Gueye, Garner, Onana, Doucoure, Gray, Iwobi. Subs: Holgate, Keane, Begovic, Maupay, Lonergan, McAllister, Simms, Welch.

AFC Bournemouth: Travers, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly, Billing, Lerma, Brooks, Christie, Ouattara, Solanke. Subs: Stephens, Cook, Mepham, Randolph, Stacey, Vina, Moore, Anthony, Sadi.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Coady back for his first start since February, he came off the bench against Man City earlier in the month.


03:31 PM

Paul Merson on Sky Sports News

"I'd be shocked if Everton don't win today. Bournemouth have got nothing to play for. There will be drama along the way, no doubt about that."


03:30 PM

Sue Smith, Everton fan, on Sky Sports News

"I am as nervous as anything. Hoping that Merse brings us some good luck please."


03:17 PM

Handy graphic


03:07 PM

Flares in fashion

General view of Everton fans with flares outside the stadium before the match - Reuters
General view of Everton fans with flares outside the stadium before the match - Reuters

02:53 PM

Premier League statuses at stake!

Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog of this afternoon's Premier League games; we will be focusing on the live scores and updates from the matches involving Everton, Leeds United and Leicester City.

Everton are at home to Bournemouth. Leeds United are at home to Tottenham. Leicester City are at home to West Ham United. All of the matches kick off at 4.30pm.

The state of play is as follows: Everton are 17th with 33 points. Leicester 18th with 31 points. Leeds 19th with 31 points. Everton's goal difference is -24. Leicester's, much the best, just -18. Leeds - 27.

Who needs what? Well, Everton are definitely staying up if they win. If Everton draw, they are still okay as long as Leicester don't win.

Leicester have to win, but even then their fate is not in their hands and they need a favour from Bournemouth.

Leeds need to win but will still need Bournemouth to help them out.

Leicester boss Dean Smith says: "We are a few points short of where I expected to be and that's why it has come down to the last one. This would be a very proud day if we do it, but we have to win our game and rely on other results. Each escape will have its own merits, the one at Villa with four games to go was seven points. That in itself was a big ask, this has been a big ask and hopefully we can do it."

"This league is precarious. You've got to have really good models now to stay in the league. You look at Brighton and Brentford, two really good models of clubs, one I know very well because I worked there. It is hard. You need the finance behind it but it's not just about finance as you can see in Brentford's case. There are many different ways to stay in the league but it's a real tough league. Very quickly you can go and lose two or three games on the spin. All of a sudden that just drains the confidence of players."

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce has admitted that Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani is "hugely frustrated and disappointed. He didn't expect at the start of the season that the club would be in this position.

"He didn't expect he would have to employ three managers to get out of this position. He's hugely frustrated. The only way you sort that out is at the end of the season, have a look at the whole structure of the football club, and do whatever needs to be done.

"But in the meantime the only focus is one big game, one massive game for the players and for us all in controlling the destiny of Leeds, only by winning and hoping that other people lose. It's not what we wanted, but it's the position we're in."