Everton, having looked for most of the season like a sure candidate for relegation, is once again working on a great escape.
On Saturday, the Toffees trailed at Wolves from the 34th minute, and the home side missed several chances to add a second. That would have set Everton — who kicked off with a one-point edge over the teams in the relegation zone — with an ultra-stressful Sunday.
A 1-0 loss would have allowed Leeds (who face West Ham) and Leicester City (who are at Newcastle) to climb out of the drop zone at Everton’s expense if either managed a win. If Everton were to lose at Wolves and then again in their finale against Bournemouth, Leeds could even pass them with a couple of draws, or on goal difference if they took a single point in their last two matches.
As the 90th minute arrived, Everton got an opening: nine minutes of stoppage time to somehow produce an equalizer. The Toffees needed a hero to score a goal: possibly Dwight McNeil or Demarai Gray, their leading scorers? How about Alex Iwobi, who scored their critical equalizer at Leicester earlier this month?
All worthy scorers, but Everton would end up being saved on the day (and possibly the season) by a less likely star.
Their hero was, you guessed it, Yerry Mina. A center back with just six Premier League appearances in a season marred by injury and a benching — that sounds like the man to score a hugely dramatic goal on the road when his team most desperately needs one.
And there he was, in the ninth minute of those nine minutes of stoppage time, all 6-foot-5 of him stabbing at the ball while falling to produce an equalizer that could end up keeping the Toffees in the Premier League.
Per Opta, Mina’s shot crossed the line with 98:54 on the clock, making it the latest Premier League goal that Everton have scored in at least 17 years. It’s also just Mina’s second of the season, and naturally his first came against…Wolves. Of course it did.
At this stage of last season, Everton were in a similar spot, coming from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Goodison Park, clinching Premier League safety and sparking a pitch invasion before full time.
Watch Mina score a huge goal for Everton
Yerry Mina saves a CRUCIAL point for Everton in the final moments!#MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/HofoeQm5nS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 20, 2023
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