Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Zamora      Johnson

Dempsey     Murphy (c)      Etuhu      Duff

Konchesky      Hangeland      Hughes      Pantsil

Stockdale

Everton
4-5-1

Jo

Pienaar     Rodwell  Cahill    Neville (c)    Osman

Baines   Distin  Yobo    Hibbert

Howard

Match Report

Roy Hodgson's team produced an inspired second half comeback against Everton at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Tim Cahill earned Everton a first half lead but the Whites rallied back and goals from Konchesky and Duff sealed the win that moved Fulham into tenth place in the Barclays Premier League table.

Fulham welcomed back captain Danny Murphy, Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora for Sunday's clash.  

The one noticeable absentee was Mark Schwarzer who failed to recover from an injury picked up whilst on international duty. David Stockdale was handed his Barclays Premier League debut against David Moyes’ side.

It was an impressive debut by Stockdale, who put in a calm, assured performance in goal on Sunday and made a fine save in the dying minutes which helped Fulham secure all three points.

Both sides made a bright start to the game and it was Damien Duff who fired in the first meaningful shot of the game after five minutes play. Playing wide right Duff cut inside from the flank and fired a left footed shot in on goal. Howard was well positioned to collect with ease at his near post.

During the early exchanges both sides looked threatening down the flanks. Osman and Duff were the main instigators for their respective sides and produced several telling crosses in the opening ten minutes. However neither side could find a cutting edge inside the area.

David Stockdale was called into action on 15 minutes when Jack Rodwell fired in a powerful right-footed effort from 25 yards. Stockdale managed to parry the ball away but in the resulting melee Duff produced a wonderful block tackle to alleviate the pressure.

Two minutes later Everton’s recent signing Distin deflected Andy Johnson’s goal bound header away for a corner with a fine piece of aerial defensive cover. From the resulting set piece Dempsey headed just wide at the far post.

Fulham’s momentum was building but on 22 minutes Bobby Zamora fell under a challenge outside the box. Referee Walton waved play-on and Jo burst forward on the counter attack.

The Brazilian striker skipped through the heart of midfield before Danny Murphy checked the striker 20 yards from goal. The wall stood firm from the resulting set piece and the score remained level in Sunday’s evenly matched affair.

Damien Duff, enjoying a fine game on the right, produced another quality delivery in the box to Clint Dempsey on the half hour mark. The US international rose to meet the ball but his header was off target.

On 32 minutes the balance of the match swung Everton’s way when Tim Cahill headed home from eight yards to earn the visitors a one-nil lead.

The goal cam after Danny Murphy was penalised for a challenge on Steven Pienaar down Everton’s left flank deep in Fulham territory. Murphy received a booking form Referee Walton before Cahill headed home the set piece.

Following Cahill’s goal opportunities were few and far between as the game headed towards the break. Two minutes before half-time Dempsey sent a headed effort from a Duff corner over the bar but Everton’s defence remained well organised and resolute.

During the one minute of added time indicated by the Fourth Official, Clint Dempsey charged through midfield before sending a right-footed shot across goal wide of Howard’s post. Moments later Referee Walton blew for half time.

Everton got the second half underway but it was Fulham who went on the offensive in search of an equaliser. Etuhu went within an inch of bringing the game level after 52 minutes when his deflected header from Duff’s corner flew just wide of Howard’s back post.

The match then entered a phase of constant Fulham pressure. The Whites were camped in Everton’s half and when John Pantsil was fouled on the edge of Everton's area Fulham were awarded a direct free-kick.

Murphy stepped up but his right-footed effort slammed against the wall before the rebound fell into Paul Konchesky’s path. The left back smashed a left footed drive goalwards and thanks to a fortuitous deflection the ball flew past Tim Howard.

Roy Hodgson’s side deserved their goal after making a positive, attacking start to the second period. The home crowd were in buoyant mood following Konchesky’s strike and the balance was back in Fulham’s favour.

The game was held up on the hour mark when Everton captain Phil Neville required treatment following a fifty-fifty challenge with Etuhu in the middle of the park. Neville was unfortunately stretchered from the field of play and David Moyes was forced to introduce Heitinga.

Moyes made his second substitution of the match with twenty minutes remaining, replacing striker Jo with Fellaini. Fulham continued to press for the winner as the game entered the final fifteen minutes and it was Damien Duff who produced a moment of brilliance to earn Fulham the lead after 79 minutes.

Andy Johnson created the opportunity for Duff, charging forward before laying the ball to the winger on the right flank. Johnson continued his run, drawing Everton’s defence away from his teammate. Duff cut inside and smashed a thunderous left footed shot into the far corner of the net from 25 yards.

Everton were stung by Duff’s goal but certainly gave their all in the last ten minutes of play. Two goalmouth scrambles in the final minutes had Fulham stretched but the home side escaped thanks to some last ditch defending.

Seven minutes from time Baines crudely brought down Duff. The Everton defender received a booking and for all his efforts to shake off the knock Duff was forced to make way. The winger received a standing ovation as he left the pitch. Simon Davies replaced Duff, making a welcome return to action and was warmly received by the Fulham faithful.

After 88 minutes, Diomansy Kamara replaced Andy Johnson. Johnson made a significant contribution to Fulham’s second goal and put in an impressive shift in attack on Sunday.

Two minutes after Kamara’s introduction the Fourth Official indicated five minutes added time. It was pure excitement as Fulham held on to take a crucial three points on Sunday.

Roy's Reaction

"We have beaten a good Everton team today. We showed more courage in the second half, it was less a war of attrition and we turned it around.

"Damien is a goalscorer and it's nice to have players like him and Clint Dempsey and Simon Davies who can support Andrew Johnson up front."

fulhamfc.com Man of the Match

Damien Duff was simply outstanding on Sunday. The Republic of Ireland international's work rate and energy were admirable and the winger was a constant thorn in Everton's side. A stunning strike to earn Fulham all three points was the perfect reward for a fantastic performance against Everton at Craven Cottage.

 

View Minute by Minute|