The relief was tangible come full-time at Goodison Park on Saturday as Everton earned a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Anthony Gordon 's goalbound but deflected shot ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides as a tenacious performance from the Toffees proved too much for a ramshackle Red Devils outfit to overcome.
After disappointing away defeats to West Ham United and Burnley, Frank Lampard will be delighted with the spirit shown by his players and comforted by the four-point gap that has opened up between Everton and the bottom three. There's every chance that margin could slip back to a point on Sunday, as relegation rivals Burnley travel to bottom club Norwich City.
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But, for now, let's revel in a hugely important victory, and take in what the national media, as well as our own Joe Thomas, had to say about a memorable day at Goodison Park...
Phil McNulty of BBC Sport wrote...
"This could be a huge result in Everton's season, stopping the rot and lifting some of those dark clouds that were starting to gather over Goodison.
"Everton's win was as far from a classic as it is possible to be but in the wider context it could mean more than so many others this season. Frank Lampard's side remain in trouble but the psychological lift provided by this victory, which removes the prospect of dropping into the bottom three for now at least, saw an explosion of joy around this famous old stadium when referee Jon Moss blew the final whistle.
"Everton dug deep for victory and had several figures who personified exactly what they will need if they are to maintain their Premier League status. It was fitting that Gordon was the match-winner, the local hero loved by Everton fans for his tireless energy and invention. The supporters warm to him because of his attitude and his deflected strike was a fitting reward."
Andy Hunter of the Guardian wrote...
"Sean Dyche questioned Everton’s ability to see out a victory after their self-implosion at Burnley on Wednesday. He was not the only one, with their quality at Premier League level open to scrutiny too.
"Apprehension stalked Goodison Park after two damaging away defeats in succession but Gordon’s goal, which could prove the most important of the boyhood Evertonian’s career, transformed the mood inside the stadium and among his team-mates. They were aided and abetted by a truly dismal United team who are going through the motions while awaiting their latest managerial appointment. Both clubs have squandered a fortune in pursuit of former glories but, for Lampard at least, that inquest can wait for another day."
Richard Jolly of the Independent wrote...
"In the battle of the fallen giants, it was Everton, threatened with a precipitous drop out of the top flight after 68 years, who prevailed. They have spent – some would say wasted – some £550m under owner Farhad Moshiri but a potentially priceless winner came from a homegrown local, Anthony Gordon. After just 11 points from their previous 22 matches, Everton conjured three and grasped at a lifeline.
"There may be none for United. Their chances of a top-four finish had already looked remote. Rangnick had conceded they lacked margin for error and they duly erred, delivering the sort of shapeless, witless performance that has felt a recurring theme in their season.
"So often this season, Everton have been the side with the most pronounced self-destructive streak. Not this time. They took a lead and, unlike at Burnley on Wednesday, retained it. They showed mettle and character."
Rob Draper of the Daily Mail wrote...
"In the debacle derby, the battle of the worst-run teams in the Premier League, amidst the executive ineptitude and incompetence, a winner eventually had to emerge. Or, to put it another way, though both clubs may demonstrate Olympic levels of stupidity in the board room, one would have to be marginally less awful on the pitch.
"And it was United who seized the prize of being the team more in sync with their ownership: slow to react, poor in their decision making and turgid in their execution of ideas, they are the perfect fit for Joel Glazer."
Joe Thomas of the Liverpool Echo wrote...
"If Everton are to survive then Goodison Park is key. That has been the mantra, muttered through sleepless nights, throughout the eternity since Alex Iwobi’s stoppage-time winner against Newcastle last month. But once again the home crowd gave credence to the claim as they roared the Blues on to another memorable victory over a Manchester United side that crumbled on Merseyside.
"There was a fear a Saturday lunchtime kick-off was the worst timing for the latest so-called cup final for a club with painfully few cup final appearances over recent decades. It was thought this was a game best-suited to being played under the lights - the conditions in which Everton put up such a courageous performance against Manchester City before being thwarted by awful officiating.
"Yet as Goodison basked in spring sunshine almost 40,000 Blues turned up and gave it their all. The effect was obvious."
