Fulham end nine game losing streak with impressive win over Everton

Fulham 2 : 0 Everton

Fulham broke a nine game losing streak by beating Everton 2-0 at a sunny Craven Cottage. Everton had won their last three games, all against London sides, but were comprehensively outplayed on a poor day for them.

Tom Cairney and Ryan Babel scored second half goals to bring a bit of rare joy to the Thamesiders whose fans must be wondering where this incarnation of their Fulham side has been all year.

Fulham had the better of the opening exchanges with Aleksandar  Mitrovic managing two weak efforts straight at Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford and one into the stand.

Around the 20 minute mark, Everton came to life with Bernard unleashing one effort minutes after their first effort was well blocked but that was about it for the visitors’ first half efforts.

On 21, Pickford produced a great save after Mitrovic headed a left wing corner goalward. Fulham continued to create the better and more frequent chances. Chambers misdirected a header amid a series of half chances. Cairney overhit the next cross but Pickford was at least forced to punch the next. Pickford then smothered well at the feet of Joe Bryan and even won the goal kick.

Fulham continued to create chances. Mitrovic hit the crossbar having made the space for himself and a frustrated Richarlison was booked for slicing down Cairney just before half time.

Within a minute of the restart, Fulham took the lead. Cairney rifled home Fulham’s opener, a well deserved effort with Everton seemingly still with their heads in the dressing room.

Defender Maxime Le Marchand fire over ten minutes later amid no signs that Everton would make form or league position count, Gueye curling a rare effort far over. On the hour nark, Calvert-Lewin had Everton’s best chance so far when he was way clear but he rolled the ball just past the post. He should have done better and he well knew it, judging by his body language.

Everton’s best spell came around the 65 minute mark with a series of corners and plenty of possession. That ended when on 70 when Ryan Babel ran from the half way line and chipped right footed over the advancing Pickford to give the Cottagers a 2-0 lead and signify their long nightmare of losses was over.

Andre Gomes fired high and wide eight minutes later but there seemed little sign that Everton could crawl back into contention.

Fulham’s players left the game to a standing ovation. Deserved yes, but the question still remains, why so late? For Everton, the sooner the next game arrives the better.

Referee Lee Probert

Fulham XI vs. Everton: Sergio Rico, Fosu-Mensah (Cyrus Christie 66′), Ream, Le Marchand, Bryan, Cairney, Chambers, Zambo (Odoi 90′), Babel (Seri 83′), Mitrovic, Sessegnon.

Everton XI vs. Fulham: Pickford, Coleman, Jagielka, Zouma, Digne, Gomes, Gueye, Richarlison (Tosun), Sigurdsson (Lookman 73)’, Bernard Walcott), Calvert-Lewin.