Everton 1-0 Bournemouth: Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunner keeps Toffees in Premier League

An incredible strike by Abdoulaye Doucoure ensured Everton extended their 69-year stay in England’s top-flight with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, a result that consigned Leicester to the Championship. Sean Dyche’s side started the day outside of the drop zone in the Premier League and knew their destiny was in their own hands but required a stunning goal by Doucoure just shy of the hour-mark to relieve the pressure at Goodison Park.

Ad It means Leicester, who defeated West Ham 2-1, and Leeds, who lost 4-1 to Tottenham, are relegated to the second tier. Premier LeagueLeicester relegated despite West Ham win as Everton stay up in final day survival scrap3 HOURS AGO Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Mark Travers – standing in for captain Neto, who was absent due to personal reasons – was forced into two impressive saves in the first half.

The Toffees’ best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to Idrissa Gueye whose effort was straight at Travers. As news filtered in that 18th-placed Leicester were leading against West Ham, Everton’s desperation began to grow, and the Bournemouth shot stopper tipped over James Garner’s effort to increase the trepidation inside Goodison Park.

There were scares defensively, too, with Yerry Mina making a desperate last-ditch block to deny Dominic Solanke. The chances kept coming for Everton after the break, and when Demarai Gray failed to beat Travers from point-blank range, it felt like it could have been one of those days for the hosts.

But the relief was tangible when Doucoure broke the deadlock with a first-time volley from the edge of the box to finally give Everton the lead. Everton had Jordan Pickford to thank for pulling off an impressive save at the death, and the hosts had to endure 10