Jamie Carragher doesn't believe Everton's Premier League survival should be hailed as a success and has instead called for changes in the boardroom over the summer months.
Abdoulaye Doucoure netted a sensational second-half volley to hand the Blues a vital three points with a 1-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth and keep their ever-present Premier League status intact. The victory at Goodison Park sees Leicester City and Leeds United join already-relegated Southampton in the Championship next season.
For Everton, it was the second consecutive season their status as a Premier League club has been uncertain heading into the final Goodison Park fixture of the campaign. Last season, former manager Frank Lampard guiding the Blues to safety with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace.
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However, unlike events last May, where the full-time whistle was met with scenes of celebration, on Sunday afternoon the immediate reaction saw a section of supporters invade the pitch and later start chants of 'Sack the board'. Such chants were aimed at chairman Bill Kenwright, majority owner Farhad Moshiri and CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, who have not attended a fixture at Goodison Park since January's defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Carragher, who was on Merseyside as part of the broadcaster's Premier League coverage had a clear message for members of the club's hierarchy.
"It’s completely different to what happened here last season in the game against Crystal Palace," said the former Liverpool and England defender when asked for his take on the full-time scenes.
"I think there was a feeling last season that in some ways the people in charge of the club almost wanted a pat on the back for being part of keeping Everton up and making the decision to bring Frank Lampard in, and the reaction from the stands, initially when the whistle’s gone people go on the pitch excited - I get that - but the majority of the supporters were almost jeering and booing the fans that had gone on and then started singing sack the board.
"I do feel going forward there’s got to be some sort of change at Everton, whether it’s some sort of minority shareholder that comes in to help Moshiri, but in terms of the people who have been on the board the last few years, the next day or two they’ve got to leave their posts and that’s the only way they will get something back from these Everton supporters."
As reported by the ECHO earlier this month, Everton are in talks with New York-based investment firm MSP Capital over acquiring potential a stake in the Blues. The American company have signed an exclusivity agreement with Moshiri, and representatives of the company were present at Goodison Park for the Premier League fixture against Southampton in January.
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