Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in a confrontation with a fan on the pitch after the 3-2 defeat at Everton in which he appears to aim a kick at the man taunting him.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s winner with five minutes to go which secured the Toffees’ top-flight status with one match remaining prompted a small pitch invasion and a brief interruption in play but at the final whistle thousands streamed on to the field.
Footage posted on social media shows Vieira, unaccompanied by staff or security, making his way across the pitch towards the away dressing room which is housed in the Park End car park as a result of Covid protocols, when he is confronted by a fan who appears to gesture in the Frenchman’s face.
Vieira responds by first grabbing the man and then swinging a kick at him before other supporters come to his aid and usher him away.
The incident is likely to attract the interest of the English Football Association, as are the 85th-minute incursion and the scenes after the final whistle.
Vieira did not comment on the incident, which came to light after his post-match press conference, saying only that the referee “managed it really well”, but Everton counterpart Frank Lampard offered his support.
“I feel for Patrick. I didn’t get him at the end. I would have said, ‘come in with us’ – although he might not have wanted that.
“Of course he ran 80 yards across the pitch and it’s not easy.”
On the pitch invasion itself Lampard said: “It was pure elation of fans who have come on the pitch after avoiding relegation.
“If it is done in the right way let them stay on the pitch, let them have their moment. As long as they behave, no problem.”
Everton v Crystal Palace ratings
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EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 6 - Didn’t impose himself enough in the first half but made an important save that thwarted Mateta in the second to keep the Blues in the game. Action Images -
Mason Holgate 7 - A crucial assist saw Holgate find his centre-back partner Keane who made no mistake with the finish. Solid defensively in the second half. Getty -
Michael Keane 7 - Took his goal in the manner of a seasoned striker as he reacted first to the knockdown before sending the ball past Butland on the half volley. Getty -
Seamus Coleman 5 - A dismal piece of play on the half way line saw Coleman concede possession to Mateta, whose aggressive run towards the Everton box that eventually ended with Ayew making it 2-0. Getty -
Vitaliy Mykolenko 6 - Made regular runs up the left flank and could have done better if he achieved a better connection on the ball from his half volley. Always looked to get the ball into progressive areas of the pitch. PA -
Andre Gomes 6 - Replaced at half time having struggled to impose himself on the game. A long shot from range did little to trouble Butland who claimed it in his grasp. AFP -
Abdoulaye Doucoure 6 - Has to do better with his marking on the first goal conceded. Doucoure left his man with a free header and saw his side punished. Sometimes could have taken more care with his passes into attacking areas. Getty -
Alex Iwobi 6 - Busy up the right flank and looked to challenge defenders in 1v1 situations. Action Images -
Richarlison 7 - A handful for defenders for 90 minutes as he ran the channels and invited contact. Clipped the crossbar with a free-kick. Got his reward by taking a chance inside the box, striking the ball from a difficult angle. AFP -
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7 - Isolated for most of the game as Everton rarely got the ball to their star striker, but secured the all-important goal to keep the Blues in the Premier League. Getty -
Anthony Gordon 7 - A bright performance, bursting in between defenders and bringing others into play. Took a heavy challenge from Ayew that looked very dangerous, but recovered well. Getty -
SUBS: Dele Alli (Gomes 46) 7 - Always looked to make something happen when on the ball, and enjoyed the occasion with an energetic Goodison in full voice. Getty -
Demarai Gray (Gordon 60) 7 - On for Gordon at the hour mark and got the assist from a well-taken free-kick towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Action Images -
Jonjoe Kenny (Richarlison 91) - On for the final minutes as Frank Lampard’s side defended out the remainder of the game to secure a 3-2 victory. PA -
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Jack Butland 6 - Tested in the first half by a Richarlison free-kick that hit the bar but could do little about the goals in the second half. Keane's volley was hit precisely into the far corner, before Richarlison's effort was deflected off Conor Gallagher for the equaliser. Getty -
Tyrick Mitchell 5 - Defended his flank well but could have been more accurate when transitioning the ball out of defence, and he seemed to be too cautious in the second half, as Seamus Coleman continuously pinned him back. Getty -
Marc Guehi 7 - No nonsense from the England international who was often the first man to the ball to clear the danger. Astute with his positioning against a difficult matchup in Calvert-Lewin, but his compatriot did eventually get on the scoresheet with a winner. Unfortunate to be on the losing side. Reuters -
Joachim Andersen 5 - Didn’t deal with Richarlison's physicality well, conceding a free kick from a dangerous area with a needless foul and the Denmark international was slow to get out to him when his strike came off Gallagher to divert past Butland. PA -
Nathaniel Clyne 6 - Kept things simple and used his experience to ensure he didn’t make any mistakes when Everton increased the tempo. Rarely got beat down the right flank. Reuters -
Eberechi Eze 7 - Linked well with Zaha and was bright on the ball. Picked up an assist with an exquisite cross from a free-kick, but drifted out of the game in the second half as Everton took full control of the midfield battle. Getty -
Jeffrey Schlupp 6 - Struggled to get things going, and could have taken more care with his passing despite Everton's relentless press after the break. AP -
Will Hughes 6 - Linked play well in the midfield but was withdrawn after picking up a yellow card. Getty -
Wilfried Zaha 7 - Looked to enjoy himself in the first half with plenty of intricate play and trickery, though he did cut a frustrated figure towards the end after Patrick Vieira's side conceded three goal. Remained Palace's most dangerous threat in the few chances they created after the break. Getty -
Jean Philippe-Mateta 8- Found space in the box and made no mistake with his header that put Palace 1-0 up. Used his presence in the build up to the second goal, dispossessing Seamus Coleman. Almost secured a brace but was denied by Jordan Pickford. AP -
Jordan Ayew 6 - Lucky not to be sent off after a reckless challenge on Anthony Gordon, but shortly after got on the scoresheet by beating three Everton players to the ball. Action Images -
SUBS: Luka Milivojevic (Hughes 57) 6 - Didn’t do much to ensure control. Conor Gallagher (Schlupp 74) - Deflected Richarlison’s shot into his own goal for the equaliser. Harsh luck for the on-loan midfielder. Christian Benteke (Mateta 81) - N/A
Lampard ranked escaping relegation as “possibly at the top” of his managerial career as Calvert-Lewin's late winner Everton secured a 69th consecutive campaign in England's top flight.
Having struggled all season to be in the situation where they were two matches away from potentially losing their long stay in England’s highest division, Lampard’s players made even more hard work of it in their final home game.
Poor defending allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew both to score inside 36 minutes but a rousing second-half performance saw Michael Keane and Richarlison get the hosts back on level terms before Calvert-Lewin’s header five minutes from time prompted the first of two joyous mass pitch invasions.
“An incredible night. I have been playing a long time, coaching a relatively short time, and am fortunate to be part of amazing things and this is right up there,” said Lampard, who qualified for the Champions League with Chelsea.
“It’s right up there, possibly at the top. We had an amazing night at Leeds with Derby but this feeling was special: we didn’t win anything tonight but the feeling is special.”
