The Premier League relegation battle intensified on Monday with a number of teams in the battle suffering different fates. The results from the various league centers added drama to the already nail-biting race to secure survival, with the likes of Everton, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest and Southampton, all locked in a tense battle to avoid the drop.

in a rather interesting twist, Everton climbed out of the relegation zone after securing a surprise victory over Brighton & Hove Albion inside the Amex Stadium. A double from both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil, as well as Jason Steele's own-goal inspired the Toffees to a 5-1 win over the Seagulls who defeated Manchester United a few days ago. 

Getting off to a flyer

Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the third-quickest #PL goal of the season in #BHAEVE pic.twitter.com/rFSMglXXp9

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 8, 2023

Meanwhile, Leicester City and Southampton's survival hopes were dealt a blow after they suffered defeats in their respective matches. The former fought to earn a favourable result against Fulham, but ended up getting beat 5-3 by the Cottagers. On the other hand, Southampton found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline against fellow relegation battlers Nottingham Forest.

The last time @NFFC scored three times in the first half of a #PL match?

August 1995, when they beat Southampton 4-3! #NFOSOU pic.twitter.com/y55WkFECwD

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 8, 2023

The Saints' loss leaves them in 20th place, with their demotion to Championship next season almost confirmed. However, the win for Steve Cooper and his Forrest brigade lifted them into 16th position, and three points above the relegation zone.

For Everton, safety is far from assured but the shock victory over Brighton now sees them in 17th place with 32 points, just two points clear of the bottom three.

A massive Monday for Everton and Nott'm Forest pic.twitter.com/qG7Mq1HuwF

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 8, 2023