Everton's sickening defeat to Brentford means the Blues' relegation battle will stretch into the final days of the season.
The occasion had started so well, with an incredible crowd welcoming the players to the Goodison Park before Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton the lead as they piled on the early pressure.
The game turned on the red card for Jarrad Branthwaite, who brought down Ivan Toney as the striker chased a clearance from the Brentford area made while Richarlison was clearly having his shirt pulled.
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In a game high on drama, with five goals, two red cards and a series of controversial decisions, here are some moments that may have been missed as the chaos unfolded.
Blue smoke bombs stain Goodison's hallowed turf
In the aftermath of Calvert-Lewin's opener, blue smoke bombs landed on the pitch in front of the Gwladys Street end. This happened after Richarlison's penalty as well - both incidents leading to a steward having to carry off the items in a special crate that was repeatedly featured on the Match of the Day highlights.
The scenes of celebration had an interesting impact - the smoke bombs left marks across the pitch, leaving Jordan Pickford's box stained in blue throughout the first half.
Doucoure in disruption mode as Everton attempt to frustrate visitors
The game became fractious in the aftermath of Branthwaite's red card and it was clear Everton's players felt aggrieved by how that situation had developed, with referee Michael Oliver refusing to give a penalty to the Blues in the build-up.
As Brentford grew into the game it was clear Everton were in for a fight and one player was front and centre of that battle as the first half headed towards its conclusion - Abdoulaye Doucoure. Doucoure produced some fleet footwork on the edge of the Everton box to escape a clutch of players and then draw a foul that offered his side some respite - and Christian Norgaard a yellow card.
He was then involved in an off-the-ball row with Toney after Brentford initially refused to kick the ball out when Richarlison appeared to need treatment. The spat escalated as more players became involved as Everton sought to disrupt Brentford's flow and regroup after the shock of Branthwaite's red card and then the first Brentford equaliser.
Raya's tactics fail to knock Richarlison off his stride
Richarlison has shown incredible composure from the spot in recent weeks. His two penalties against Burnley were calmly tucked away despite it being a relegation six-pointer and, on Sunday, the chance to give Everton a lead to protect with their 10 men came amid huge pressure. As he lined up his spot-kick, Brentford keeper David Raya was intent on playing mind games - even standing notably to one side of his goal, rather than in the middle, as Richarlison set himself. Not to be deterred, Richarlison not only scored the penalty, but had the audacity to coolly chip it where Raya had been standing after his stuttering run-up forced the keeper to commit.
Richarlison's deft control - with his back
Things looked far rosier on the hour mark than they did four minutes later, by which time Brentford had not just equalised but then gone on to take the lead. Even with Everton 2-1 up it was clear they had a tough task ahead after being forced to spend the opening minutes of the second half camped in their box. On a rare breakaway Richarlison had the home crowd purring, however, as he controlled a long ball - with his back. The deft touch was a unique and impressive piece of control that offered a moment of respite overshadowed by the chaos that followed moments later.
Rondon's applause after shocking tackle
Salomon Rondon's four minute cameo was as bizarre as it was unfortunate. After causing a nuisance in late substitute appearances over recent weeks, on Sunday his spell ended in disgrace.
Brought on for Seamus Coleman after 84 minutes, his two-footed lunge on Rico Henry was reckless, the red card that followed inevitable to everyone inside Goodison Park.
He later apologised on social media by writing: “I will always give my all on the pitch. I always want to help my club, teammates and fans. I tried to do that today and know that I wasn’t up to it in one incident and am truly sorry. My apologies from the bottom of my heart to the whole Everton family.”
It was an out-of-character moment for the striker, who will miss the rest of the season through suspension. What was even stranger was the way he left the pitch - charging off toward the tunnel to save time, but applauding the home fans as he did so despite his red card leaving Everton in even more danger as they attempt to fight through suspension, injury and illness to secure survival.
