Everton Spank Fulham 3-1 At Craven Cottage
Everton dealt a hammer blow to Fulham’s hopes of qualifying for Europe by coming from behind to win at Craven Cottage.
Striker Beto and defender Michael Keane found the back of the net within three minutes of one another to give the Toffees their second win in 11 Premier League matches.
Fulham, seeking to keep pace with Brentford and Brighton in pursuit of a European spot, took a 17th-minute lead when Mexico striker Raul Jimenez headed in Emile Smith Rowe’s cross.
Marco Silva’s side dominated the opening half, coming close to doubling their lead through Harry Wilson’s low effort which was well saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
But Everton went into the break level after Vitalii Mykolenko’s tame effort from the edge of the box took a deflection off Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play when Keane headed in a 70th-minute corner from substitute Dwight McNeil, with the goal confirmed after surviving a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside.
Everton scored a third 22 seconds after the restart when Leno allowed Beto’s left-footed effort to squirm under his palm for the striker’s eighth league goal of the season.
Fulham were denied a spot-kick in the 11th minute of injury time when referee Darren England, who was sent to the pitchside monitor to review a handball against Mykolenko, stuck with his on-field decision of no penalty.
The defeat left the Cottagers in 11th and four points behind eighth-placed Brentford, while Everton climbed to 13th.
Fulham boss Silva was forced to address speculation over his future this week following reports he could leave Craven Cottage for a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
“Of course, there are always rumours, but what I can say to you right now is that my future is at Fulham Football Club next season,” he said.
The Portuguese knew that, realistically, his side would need to win all three of their remaining matches to claim a European spot.
But Fulham’s drop in form has come at the worst possible time.
A month ago the Cottagers were outsiders for a Champions League spot.
But four defeats in their last five matches have left Fulham’s hopes of finishing in the top half looking slim.
Silva’s side travel to high-flying Brentford next week, before finishing their campaign against Manchester City at home.
They will likely need to win both matches and hope for results to go their way elsewhere to qualify for Europe.
Should Silva keep his word and stay in west London for a fifth season, he will undoubtedly be looking to add more firepower to his squad this summer.
Jimenez scored his 13th goal in all competitions with a powerful header for the Cottagers’ opener, but Fulham lacked the clinical touch needed to score a second which would have changed the complexion of the match before Everton’s fightback.