Ahead of the third international break of the season, Everton faced Fulham in need of a result to quell any early fears of another long, drawn-out campaign. Although optimism is at an all-time high — arguably since the days of Ancelotti — recent results have made a few Blues uncomfortable. Thierno Barry received the vote of confidence, as the Frenchman was called upon once again. Tim Iroegbunam replaced Jake O’Brien, with James Garner slotting in at right-back.
Everton began well once again and seized control. Barry looked lively, eager to bounce back from his disappointing miss against Sunderland. His header was the first real chance of the match, but he couldn’t direct Illiman Ndiaye’s cross towards goal. Moments later, Garner fancied his chances from 40 yards with a free kick, striking the ball with venom and forcing Bernd Leno into action. Everton were pushing hard for an opener.
After relentless pressure, Barry found the net, only for an offside flag to spoil the party. Dewsbury-Hall fed Gueye, who found himself on the right inside the box, as he slid his cross towards Ndiaye, who could only flick the ball on to Barry — standing just in front of the defender.
A second offside flag soon disrupted celebrations again, as Garner lofted a high ball towards Michael Keane at the back post. His header was saved, and James Tarkowski rammed home a trademark volley (à la THAT goal). However, an offside in the build-up ensured the scoreline remained unchanged.
After two disallowed goals, Idrissa Gana Gueye finally provided the breakthrough to send Everton into the dressing room a goal to the good — and deservedly so. As Everton pressed forward, Vitaliy Mykolenko swung the ball towards the back post and Tarkowski rose highest. His header was helped onto the bar by Leno; Iroegbunam failed to convert, but Gueye was on hand to spare his blushes.
The most frustrating aspect of last week’s draw at the Stadium of Light was the inability to kill the game while on top. Everton came out for the second half ahead and continued to press. With the players staying firm and positioned high up the pitch, Moyes’s men were in no mood to let this lead slip.
In the ascendancy, Everton struck the net for the fourth time. However, an unprecedented third disallowed goal kept the score down to one. Amusingly, Dewsbury-Hall wheeled away in celebration, passing the linesman — who was already raising his flag — before realising his strike would be chalked off.
Naturally, with the away side needing a goal, the men in white were keen to force the issue. Rodrigo Muniz’s fierce low strike was kept out by the legs of Jordan Pickford on the hour mark. However, Everton stayed firm and didn’t allow Fulham to seize control. With ten minutes of normal time remaining, Keane sealed the points with a looping header — or perhaps a shoulder — from Dewsbury-Hall’s corner. Pickford ensured a perfect afternoon, denying Adama Traoré late on to record a much-needed clean sheet.
On an afternoon that could have produced five goals, two were enough to send the home fans away happy and ease any concerns — for now.
About The Author
Leave a Reply