THE euphoric scenes at Goodison Park resembled those seen last week at Highbury with fans and players alike going wild and delirious with delight. Only, while Arsenal had been celebrating finishing top of the pile, Everton's joy yesterday stemmed from finishing one place above the dreaded drop zone; their Premiership status ensured by superior goal difference.

In the end, it could not have been any tighter. Howard Kendall's Merseysiders' 1-1 draw with Coventry was in doubt until the very last kick while Bolton were only out of contention when Chelsea's Jody Morris scored the home side's second in the final minute. However, the slip-up at Stamford Bridge was enough to send Colin Todd's boys into the First Division with Crystal Palace and Barnsley, the other two clubs to fall after only one season in the Premiership.

Most of the decisive drama occurred at Goodison, where young Gareth Farrelly settled the early nerves with a fine strike only for Nick Barmby to miss a second half penalty and the chance to seal Bolton's fate.