By Peter Hall
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) – Everton will extend their unbroken 69-year stay in the English top flight as midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning strike earned them a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth as they avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
Sean Dyche’s side came into Sunday’s contest with their fate in their own hands, knowing victory at Goodison Park would be enough to keep them in the Premier League, but the nervy hosts struggled to break down their opponents in a tense first half.
With supporters getting desperate, and results not going their way elsewhere, Doucoure stepped up with what proved to be the crucial winner in the 57th minute to lift the roof off the famous old stadium.
There were plenty of worrying moments for the home faithful late on, but Everton held on to finish the season in 17th place, two points above Leicester City in 18th.
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Toby Davis)