Everton beat Fulham 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday and it was a comfortable victory.
WATCH — Full match replay
Idrissa Gana Gueye put Everton ahead in the first half and Michael Keane made it 2-0 in the second half as Everton had a number of goals chalked off for just being offside and David Moyes’ side were superior throughout.
With the win, their first in four games, they move on to 15 points for the season. Fulham remain on 11 points and Marco Silva’s side are lacking in confidence and are definitely in the relegation scrap.
Everton will push for Europe if they can find a striker
Everton have two strikers and between them Beto and Thierno Berry have scored just once in the Premier League. Almost a third of the season has been played. David Moyes has created a solid, reliable Everton side with Jordan Pickford at the top of his game in goal. Defensively and in midfield there are no issues. Even in attacking midfield there are very few problems as Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall are fun to watch, make things happen and create chances. But there is absolutely nobody there to put them away or stretch the game. Thierno Barry and Beto have been alternating up top all season and Barry got the start against Fulham. He did a few good things but put a header over and he missed a sitter in the draw at Sunderland on Monday. Everton clearly have to try and bring in a new forward in January and if they can get it right, they can push for Europe. Everything else is looking solid but they need a better focal point, and some goals, if they’re going to kick on under Moyes.
What’s next?
Everton head to Manchester United after the international break on Monday, November 24. Fulham have a huge game at home against Sunderland on Saturday, November 22.
Everton vs Fulham score: 2-0
Gueye 45+3', Keane 81'
Everton vs Fulham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Keane wraps it up!
Dewsbury-Hall corner is whipped in beautifully and Michael Keane flicks home at the near post. It comes off his shoulder and loops in. The goal has been given!
Muniz denied by Pickford!
Josh King, so bright since he has come on, plays in fellow sub Rodrigo Muniz. He’s only just come on and his low shot is powerful but Pickford is out quickly and saves. Despite Everton having plenty of chances, Fulham are still in this and pushing hard for an equalizer.
Dewsbury-Hall thinks he has doubled Everton’s lead... but it’s offside again!
A cross is knocked down and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drills it home across goal... but for the third time today an offside flag is up to deny Everton a goal. This time Barry is stood in an offside position and he is impacting play. Everton can’t believe it.
Half time sub Josh King looking very lively
Lukic, as expected, has been taken off as he was on a yellow and lucky not to pick up a second. Youngster Josh King is on and has already caused some problems for Everton.
Gueye scores right on half time!
Everton’s pressure finally pays off. Grealish whips in a cross and it is cleared but Mykolenko’s cross is headed onto the crossbar by Tarkowski. The ball drops to Iroegbunam but he can’t sort his feet out and eventually it drops to Gueye who keeps his cool to slot home. 1-0 to Everton!
Tarkowski scores... but there’s an offside!
Everton keep the attack alive and a cross into the box sees Michael Keane denied from close range, then James Tarkowski finishes the rebound. But Ndiaye was offside just before that in the build-up. Fulham hanging on.
Lukic has to be careful
Sasa Lukic has already been booked and he cynically brings down Dewsbury-Hall who was away. Everton wanted a second yellow for Lukic, and he’s pretty lucky he wasn’t shown it and sent off.
Barry scores... but he’s offside
A cross from the right is flicked home by Barry but he’s offside. He is denied his first goal for Everton. Much better from Everton as Pickford set Grealish free with a superb ping forward.
Barry heads over!
Ndiaye with a superb cross from the right whipped in to the back post but young forward Barry heads over at the back post. That is a decent chance.
Everton lineup
Pickford; Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gana, Iroegbunam; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Iwobi, Kevin; Jimenez
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Nathan Patterson (knock)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Antonee Robinson (knee)
Everton vs Fulham preview
Everton have won just one of their last seven Premier League games after winning two of three to start the club’s new era. And it’s been the home form that has carried them thus far, as David Moyes’ side only just recently lost for the first time in their brand new 52,000-seat ground (2W-2D-1L). Wingers Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish have brought a “wow” factor to Everton’s attack for the first time in quite some time with five goals and five assists between them, but no one else has more than one goal or one assist (only 10 scored all season).
Fulham snapped a four-game losing skid last weekend with a 3-0 victory over last-place Wolves. Marco Silva’s side is also (and once again) a better defending side than attacking, but the hope is that will change as summer signing Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze find their footing in the PL. To this point, Chukwueze has the only goal or assist between them.
Everton vs Fulham prediction
If this game turns into a flat out counter-attacking contest — and it likely will — Ndiaye and Grealish are far more dangerous than any combination Fulham can put out there. Everton 2-1 Fulham.
How to watch Everton vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10 am ET, Saturday
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium — Liverpool
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
