Everton produced one of their best performances of the season in the reverse fixture when the Blues beat Fulham 2-0. The score could have been even worse as Everton had three goals chalked off. Today, they made the trip down to west London to face their former manager, Marco Silva. The teams were both on 34 points with only goals scored putting Fulham ahead of the Blues.
Everton’s road success has been impressive. In fact, before kickoff, they had conceded just 11 goals in 12 away EPL games this season,
with only Arsenal conceding fewer on the road at 9. It was the first time they have conceded fewer than a goal per game away from home since 2008-09 where they conceded 17 in 19 games.
Team News
David Moyes has not had a complete squad to choose from and with only Jack Grealish out, his choices were abundant. Tyrique George, who was a like for like replacement for Grealish, was in the squad but started on the bench. Mykolenko returned from his knock with Branthwaite making way. Harrison Armstrong made his sixth start on the trot, keeping Tyler Dibling out of the lineup on the right wing. The manager was banished to the stands after picking up a booking for celebrating the late equalizer at Brighton.
Marco Silva had former Everton player Alex Iwobi starting and deadline day signing Oscar Bobb was on the bench. Ryan Sessegnon was the only change for Fulham with another former Blue, Antonee Robinson relegated to the bench.
Match Report
Stuart Attwell was the man in the middle as the teams entered the arena with those ridiculous flame throwers trying to create some sort of atmosphere. What it did create was a layer of smoke that hung over the pitch as the kickoff was taken.
Everton pressed early with Ndiaye working on the right side. Some good possession on the edge of the box with Armstrong taking too many touches instead of making a pass. Armstrong then drew a foul on the edge of the box in a dangerous position. Garner delivered the ball which forced a save from Leno. The corner was headed by O’Brien which hit the far post.
Fulham finally got the ball into Everton’s half on the 10 minute mark and Alex Iwobi almost snuck the ball into the Everton goal but Pickford cleared it away. Moyes was at the top of the new stand with Seamus Coleman next to him as he served his touchline ban for accumulated yellow cards.
Sessegnon broke forward and delivered a fizzing pass into the box but Jake O’Brien was on hand to clear the ball. Fulham broke the deadlock when Jiminez forced a save from Pickford but it hit a diving Mykolenko and bounced into his own net.
Fulham were energized and it took a great save from Pickford when Chukwueze’s shot was heading into the goal. The Cottagers were bossing the match as Everton were unable to get on the ball. It was almost two as Everton lost possession which fell to Smith-Rowe but his shot hit the bar.
Dewsbury-Hall delivered a scything pass to Barry but Anderson blocked the shot. The resulting corner fell to KDH but his shot was dragged wide. Fulham broke forward down the left side and Jiminez was wide open in the middle and should have made it two but his shot was shot wide of the post.
A great ball from KDH was just out of reach for the sliding Barry and then Gueye forced another save from Leno. Fulham were cutting though the backline which forced another good save by Pickford to prevent Smith-Rowe. The resulting free kick was met by Chukwueze who grazed the bar with a ferocious shot. The half was over with Everton dominating the first 10 minutes but having nothing to show for it.
The second half started with no changes for either side. Another quick start from Everton and when KDH slipped the ball into the box it was met by Keane who’s shot was blocked by Barry. Everton were on the front foot and their sustained pressure led to another corner which was flicked by Barry’s head but it went just wide of the post.
The travelling Evertonians were trying to lift their team. Some high pressure from the Blues was causing difficulties for Fulham. Barry was unable to get the ball out of his feet to get a shot away. Garner was then given a yellow for a late tackle on Smith-Rowe. Fulham had not had a touch in the Everton box when Chukwueze delivered a great cross that forced a great defensive play by Mykolenko.
Everton immediately went down the pitch and forced a corner. Tarkowski was able to get his head on the ball but it went over the bar. Mykolenko was then in the referee’s book for taking down Wilson. Beto and George were getting ready to enter the fray. Barry was wiped out by Cueca and rightly cautioned.
The two changes for Everton were made with Barry and Armstrong being withdrawn as Cueca was being treated for a head injury. The Toffees were controlling the play and Marco Silva made a couple of changes to try and change the flow of play. Jiminez and Chukwueze were withdrawn with Kevin and Muniz coming on.
George made his first contribution by sliding a nice pass into Mykolenko who pulled it back to KDH who slotted the ball into the far corner. A lovely goal that was well deserved which levelled the match.
Fulham was trying to get a foothold but Everton pushed back and Beto drove towards the Fulham goal but Leno got out to nullify the chance. George then took his first shot but it was well over the bar. Fulham withdrew Smith Rowe and Castanga with Bobb and Tete entering the pitch. A cross from Mykolenko was touched away by Leno. The resulting corner was delivered by KDH and with O’Brien jostling the goalie, Leno punched the ball into his own goal. VAR checked the play for a foul but the goal was given.
Fulham were desperate and Silva was looking dejected as Jake O’Brien was given a yellow for bringing down Robinson just outside the box. Muniz could not get his head on the free kick. Seven minutes of additional time was announced. Fulham continued to press for an equalizer as Everton brought on Branthwaite for Mykolenko to shut the barn door.
Oscar Bobb had the chance to cause some havoc but his touch was poor. Tim Iroegbunam was brought on and KDH was given a great round of applause from the travelling Evertonians for his day’s work. It was last chance saloon time as Garner cleared the ball from the box. Anderson’s awful cross was ridiculously overhit and Pickford was given a yellow for time wasting.
The referee looked at his watch and ended the match with David Moyes pumping his fist in the stands as the Evertonians broke into a rousing rendition of “Spirit of the Blues”.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: In a game that swung back and forth, the one consistent was the work and contribution from KDH. His goal was nicely taken and his corner kick was delivered right into the melee that was Leno and O’Brien. An all round performance in the middle of the pitch. Thomas Tuchel may have been there to watch James Garner but he had to be impressed by KDH.
Instant Reaction
A first double over Fulham for the first time in twelve years was well deserved. After a strong first ten minutes, Fulham took the lead and Everton limped into half time hanging on to the one goal deficit. The second half was all blue with Fulham hardly getting a sniff of the ball. Everton end the day in 7th place, just two points behind Liverpool and 6 points off the European places.
Two weeks ago, David Moyes had only 9 senior players available for selection. Thankfully, that pressure has eased. To be able to be without Coleman, McNeil and Grealish and name a bench with that much talent was pretty good. On the bench were Travers, Patterson, Branthwaite, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz, George, Dibling, Beto, and Rohl. The bench was the difference as George and Beto added the forward play that was needed to get the winner.
The away form of this team is unbelievable. The never say die attitude on the road has given the Blues 18 points so far this season. Today’s come from behind win was another feather in the cap of this team who find different ways to get the points away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Moyes now needs to sort things out when they are at home in their next match against Bournemouth.
It was so unfortunate to see Dwight McNeil missing from the lineup. His deadline day transfer collapse was so unfortunate for everyone involved, and no one more than the player. My hope is that he gets himself back in the team to show Palace what they missed out on.
