Everton board cause ‘sadness’ despite ‘incredible’ relegation escape at Goodison Park – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
There was “no celebration” for Kevin Campbell at Goodison Park despite Everton escaping relegation, only “total relief”.
Abdoulaye Doucouré’s rocket from the edge of the area on Sunday (28 May) took the three points against Bournemouth and ensured the Toffees didn’t allow Leicester to steal their spot in the Premier League for next season.
But as fans rushed onto the pitch former captain Campbell says they quickly turned their attentions against the board because “sadness” followed the feelings of relief at a second late escape in two seasons.
“I was there. There was no celebration, it was relief. Total relief,” the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Goodison News.
“To be fair, Bournemouth made a good game of it, tested Everton. They played very free which was right because they were safe.
“Obviously there was three teams going for it, and learning that Leicester were winning, which everyone probably anticipated they would.
“But the key was doing the business at home and Doucouré came up with a cracker of a goal and Everton saw it through.
“I tell you what, it was the longest 10 minutes injury time ever, it felt like half an hour.
“But after the game the fans came on the pitch because of relief, then after about 10 minutes they turned their attention to the board.
“It was one of those days where the relief was obviously incredible, but there’s a sadness there as well.”
There was something triumphant about coming back from 2-0 down to secure safety with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace a year ago, but Everton should still never have been in that position once let alone twice.
For the club to be right back in the same situation 12 months later, with the same board in charge and none of the lessons from the previous near-miss apparently learned, any enjoyment that can be taken from the late reprieve is largely gone as finishing 17th is nothing to be pleased with for a club this size.
There needs to be a significant amount of change this summer if the club are to avoid a third trip through the mire, and it is difficult to see that general atmosphere changing without some turnover in the boardroom.