EVERTON grabbed the win they needed to secure Premier League safety, defeating Cherries 1-0 at a white-hot Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s venomous strike 12 minutes into the second half proved the difference between the two teams, keeping Sean Dyche’s men in the top flight.

For Cherries, they end the season with four consecutive defeats, Matias Vina denied a dramatic late equaliser.

Cherries’ starting XI showed three changes from the loss against Manchester United eight days earlier. Goalkeeper and captain Neto missed out due to personal reasons and was replaced by Mark Travers, who made his first appearance since January.

Philip Billing and Dango Ouattara were also recalled, with Lewis Cook and Jaidon Anthony dropping to the bench.

Everton, who knew victory would guarantee their safety, were greeted by a cacophony of noise from the home supporters, who gave a rousing rendition of their pre-match song book.

For all the endeavour, neither side could create a good early opening of note with Jefferson Lerma and Demarai Gray firing left-footed efforts over the bar.

Everton were focusing attacks down their left flank, delivering crosses into the box which eventually led to Amadou Onana heading one over the crossbar.

It took half an hour for either goalkeeper to be severely tested. Onana threaded a ball through for Idrissa Gana Gueye in the box, who was denied by the fingertips of Travers.

The Irishman came out on top again to deny Gueye from distance soon after, before at the other end Marcos Senesi dragged a shot narrowly wide.

As news filtered in of Leicester City taking the lead against West Ham United, which saw the Toffees slip into the bottom three, desperation grew amongst the home fans, claiming for every decision from referee Stuart Attwell.

Cherries carved out their clearest opening when the lively David Brooks robbed James Tarkowski of possession and picked out Dominic Solanke, who was only denied by a brilliant sliding Yerry Mina block.

Travers had to be alert again to preserve his clean sheet going into half-time, punching clear a cross before tipping over James Garner’s curling strike.

Everton made a bright start to the second half. Travers denied Gray, before Cherries scrambled clear the danger from inside the six-yard box.

Back came Cherries, Ouattara gliding across the box before picking out Brooks, whose cross was turned behind by Garner.

Gary O’Neil turned to his bench 10 minutes into the second half, introducing Vina for Brooks.

Moments later, Cherries were behind. A loose ball sat up beautifully for Doucoure, who thumped home a volley from 20 yards, Travers rooted to the spot.

Goodison Park erupted, while outside the ground a series of fireworks were set off as smoke filled the air.

O’Neil’s response was to bring Kieffer Moore into the contest, with Ryan Christie replaced.

A cross in to Moore soon caused chaos. The Wales international headed across goal towards Solanke, but Everton cleared before a scuffle between the Cherries striker and Pickford eventually led to members of both teams piling in.

The heat was rising, with O’Neil among those booked by Attwell during a frantic spell of the contest.

As the game entered 10 minutes of added time, Cherries almost grabbed a leveller, substitutes Moore and Vina combining, the latter seeing his volley beaten away by Pickford.

Cherries end the season in 15th place with 39 points, while Leeds United and Leicester will join Southampton in the Championship.

Cherries: Travers; Smith (Anthony, 83), Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Lerma, Billing; Christie (Moore, 65), Brooks (Vina, 56), Ouattara; Solanke.

Unused subs: Stephens, Mepham, Stacey, Cook, Sadi, Randolph (g/k).

Booked: Senesi, Smith, Solanke, O’Neil.

Everton: Pickford; Mina, Coady, Tarkowski; Garner, Doucoure, Gueye, Onana, McNeil; Gray (Simms, 86), Iwobi.

Unused subs: Holgate, Keane, McAllister, Welch, Maupay, Lonergan (g/k), Begovic (g/k).

Booked: Pickford.

Referee: Stuart Attwell.

VAR: Michael Oliver.