Jamie Redknapp says Everton given ‘lifeline’ after ‘unbelievable’ win v Chelsea
Jamie Redknapp says Everton have been given a ‘lifeline’ after securing an ‘unbelievable’ win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Toffees claimed all three points thanks to a Richarlison goal, while Jordan Pickford pulled off one of the saves of the season to help the team stay in touch with Burnley and Leeds with a game in hand.
Redknapp, appearing on Sky Sports as a pundit during the game, admitted that defeat may have meant it was ‘too late’ to save themselves and said they must find results away from home now to stay in the Premier League.
“What a three points for them especially with what Burnley are doing,” he said.
“I’m sure Frank Lampard, if they had lost this game, would have started to think it might be too late. It’s an unbelievable three points for them, it’s given them another lifeline.
“It’s the home form you feel will keep them up but can they somehow manufacture a win away? They’ve only had one all season – not good enough. They’ve got to find a way of going away and being difficult to beat, picking up some points.
“They’ve been a different team when they’ve played at home, but can they now change that mindset away? If they can, then they’ll stay in the Premier League. If they can’t, then they’ll go down.
“When you’re playing teams and winning away from home, you’ve got to have a bit of character about you. That’s probably what the problem has been there, not enough characters.”
Relief
Richarlison’s goal was one that brought pure joy and elation to the ground at the time, but after the game it’s surely another big sigh of relief from fans.
It was the winning goal and meant three points, but the bigger picture means that survival is still in the hands of Lampard’s side with their game in hand.
Everton have two more home games this season, but they face back-to-back away games before the next one and they simply cannot afford to be on the same points tally after those fixtures.
Leicester away will be tough, but they face a huge European semi-final on Thursday and that’s something the Toffees should be looking to take advantage of. After that, it’s a game against Watford who have lost 11 home games in a row.
If they don’t get points from those games, they simply don’t deserve to stay up. But it won’t be up them if Burnley keep winning and Leeds can pull their own rabbit out of a hat.
In other Everton news, Pundit shares Everton relegation verdict after ‘big’ win v Chelsea: ‘Not easy’