Everton 2-0 Fulham: Toffees end Three-match Winless Run with Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane Goals

Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane got the goals as Everton ended a three-game winless run in the Premier League with victory against Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The first half looked set to end in frustration for David Moyes’ team after Thierno Barry and James Tarkowski had efforts ruled out for offside, but Gueye slammed home a loose ball in stoppage time to give the Toffees a deserved lead.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found the bottom corner early in the second half but became the third Everton player to be thwarted by the linesman’s flag, after Barry strayed offside from Iliman Ndiaye’s knock-down.

Fulham created little in the first half but improved later in the game, Rodrigo Muniz forcing Jordan Pickford into a smart save and Ndiaye producing an outstanding clearance to deny Brazilian Kevin from close range.

However, Everton clinched all three points when Michael Keane glanced Dewsbury-Hall’s corner past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno with nine minutes remaining.

Everton remain in the bottom half but are just a point behind Crystal Palace in ninth, while Fulham sit one point above the relegation zone.

Everton analysis: Patience pays off for Toffees

Everton manager Moyes was somewhat vexed on the touchline by the time fourth official Ben Toner indicated six minutes of added time at the end of the first half, but his mood would soon improve.

His team had created by far the better opportunities against Marco Silva’s side, but a combination of wayward finishing and the linesman’s flag had kept the Cottagers on level terms.

Summer signing Barry, who retained his place in Moyes’ starting line-up despite a glaring miss against Sunderland on Monday, is desperate for a first Premier League goal so would have been cursing his luck for having an effort chalked off after Ndiaye strayed offside from Gueye’s low cross.

French striker Barry should have seized an earlier chance when he rose unmarked to meet Dewsbury-Hall’s cross earlier in the half, sending his header high over the bar.

Defender Tarkowski, who had a close-range volley disallowed, was denied by the crossbar not long after that, but Fulham were unable to clear their lines and Gueye pounced to finally put the home side in front.

The second half would have been far more comfortable for Everton had Dewsbury-Hall’s sweeping finish not been ruled out, but the Toffees needed Pickford and Ndiaye to preserve their narrow advantage with key interventions as Fulham began to commit more men forward.

Keane’s late effort, which appeared to come off his shoulder, settled the home fans’ nerves and earned Everton their first win since beating Crystal Palace over a month ago.

Fulham analysis: More away-day blues for Cottagers

Fulham’s victory over Wolves last weekend was a third win from their latest four home league matches, but form away from Craven Cottage is giving serious cause for concern.

Only Wolves, who travelled to Chelsea for Saturday’s 20:00 GMT kick-off, have fared as badly as Silva’s Fulham this season, both sides managing just one point.

Saturday’s defeat means Fulham have lost five consecutive away league games under former Everton boss Silva for the second time, having previously done so between November 2023 and January 2024.

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Other than making comfortable saves from Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez, home goalkeeper Pickford was untroubled in the first half as the visitors struggled to pose a threat.

Rodrigo Muniz forced Pickford into action within minutes of replacing Jimenez, but the Brazilian striker – without a goal since the opening day of the season – was withdrawn 17 minutes later as Silva opted to introduce Adama Traore for the final stages.

Ndiaye’s last-ditch clearance denied Kevin a clear sight of goal midway through the second half, but that was the closest Fulham came to getting level before Keane’s late effort effectively ended their hopes of a point.

What’s next for these teams?

Everton travel to Manchester United on Monday, 24 November (20:00 GMT) in their first game after the international break, while Fulham welcome Sunderland to Craven Cottage on Saturday, 22 November (15:00 GMT).

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Source: BBC