Video Footage Emerges As Patrick Vieira Kicks An Everton Fan During Pitch Invasion
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was provoked by an Everton fan and reacted with a kick after the Toffees Premier League survival celebrations got out of hand on Thursday evening.
A pitch invasion erupted at the Goodison Park following Calvert-Lewin's dramatic winner sparking safety concerns for the Crystal Palace players and coaching staff.
Everton, came from 2 goals behind in the second half to win 3-2 against Crystal Palace in a crucial encounter, thus ensuring that they would play in the Premier League next season.
Crystal Palace had opened the scoring courtesy of Jean Philippe Mateta's strike, and it wasn’t long before Jordan Ayew made it worse for the Merseyside team in the first-half.
Goals from Michael Keane and Richarlison in the second-half pulled the hosts level before Dominic Calvert-Lewin late winner secured a 3-2 victory over the Eagles.
The victory takes Frank Lampard's team to 16th position on the table with 39 points, which keeps them out of any danger with one game to go in the league.
The Jubilant Everton fans got into celebration mood, but One particular fan celebrated a little too much by stepping toward Vieira and inciting the Frenchman which was not taken lightly.
Footage emerging on Sky Sports News showed a fan appearing to provoke Vieira as he made his way across the pitch and back to the dressing rooms, amid the presence of the home supporters.
A fan seemingly holding up a phone could be seen extending his arms toward the Vieira's face, while the user shouts: "Suck on that, you muppet. Get in.", but the former Arsenal captain losed his cool after an altercation and was caught in the video kicking the fan leg which knocked him to the ground.
On Friday morning, the Football Association opened an investigation into the incident, as video quickly went viral after the match was over. Vieira is exposed to a sanction for what happened.
Patrick Vieira retaliates after being accosted by an Everton fan on the pitch after the game pic.twitter.com/g0HuTlpf7z
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) May 19, 2022
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Everton manager Frank Lampard was sympathetic for Vieira on the matter, telling reporters:
"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."
Crystal Palace are currently in 13th position, with 45 points, as they prepare for the final round of matches on Sunday.
Patrick Vieira responding to Everton pitch invasion incident after appearing to kick a fan said in his post-match press conference;
"I do not have anything to say about that."
He further expressed his disappointment on his teams performance of throwing away two goal lead on the night;
"Disappointed as in the first half we played some really good football and controlled the tempo of the game and tactically.
"We came into the second half with confidence but did not respect the game as much as in the first half. Slowly they started to get into the game.
"The first goal woke up the crowd and it became difficult for us. The game went into a fight and we could not cope with it.”
The 2021/22 Premier League season is set to come to an end on Sunday with all matches been played simultaneously, and there will be definitions at the top and at the bottom.
Manchester City and Liverpool games will decide who to be crowned the Premier League champion, While Man United and West Ham games will determine who plays in the Europa League or Conference League.
On the other hand, Burnley and Leeds will determine who will join Norwich and Watford as the third relegation to the Championship 2022-2023.
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