Josh Maja’s brace secured a historic win for Fulham over Everton on Sunday evening.
The Whites had never before claimed three points at Goodison Park, but a wonderful team display – coupled with Maja’s predatory instincts in front of goal – secured a massive result in our battle against relegation.
Fulham were the better team throughout, but the first half failed to yield the goal we deserved.
We kept up the momentum in the second period, though, and got our reward through two Maja tap-ins, the first following fine work from Ola Aina, and the second after the excellent Harrison Reed had struck a post.
Scott Parker made a couple of changes to the side that drew with West Ham United, with Maja handed a full debut in place of Ivan Cavaleiro, while Aina was selected at left-back instead of Antonee Robinson. There was no place in the squad for Aleksandar Mitrović, after the striker returned a positive Covid test.
Fulham started brightly and almost took the lead 10 minutes in. Bobby De Cordova-Reid darted to meet Ademola Lookman’s corner and sent a deft flick over goalkeeper Robin Olsen and against the far post. Aina and Joachim Andersen then each saw a follow-up blocked.
It was really positive mindset being shown by the visitors, with another slick move culminating in Reed drilling in a first time shot from 20 yards that just cleared the target.
Lookman, on his return to Goodison, was next to threaten after playing a neat one-two with the lively De Cordova-Reid, but his poked shot bounced wide of the near post.
Everton didn’t muster an effort on goal of any sort until the 33rd minute, and even then Andre Gomes’ shot was never troubling Alphonse Areola.
They came significantly closer a minute later, though, with Seamus Coleman driving forward from right-back and lashing a shot against the base of the post.
Knowing Everton would improve after the break, a fast start was needed by the Whites, and boy did they oblige. Brilliant attacking play from Aina saw him get to the byline before squaring across the face to Maja for a tap-in, after the striker had peeled away from his marker.
Fulham weren’t content with just the one goal advantage and continued to press. Lookman will feel he could have done better after firing over from Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s cutback before the hour mark.
The intensity did not let up, and the lead was deservedly doubled in the 65th minute. Reed was unfortunate to see his strike from range come back off the post, but more intelligent movement from Maja left him with another simple finish for 2-0.
The Toffees were struggling to get a foothold in the game. Gylfi Sigurdsson managed a shot on target with quarter of an hour to go, but it was straight down the throat of Areola.
They did have the ball in the net shortly after, but substitute Josh King had strayed offside before he slid the ball in.
Fulham had been superb all night and saw the game out in a similar vein to take a huge three points back to SW6.
Everton: Olsen; Coleman (Keane 56’), Godfrey, Holgate, Digne; Gomes, Doucoure, Davies (King 56’); James (Bernard 68’), Richarlison, Sigurdsson
Fulham: Areola; Tete, Andersen, Tosin, Aina; Loftus-Cheek, Reed, Lemina (Onomah 90+1’); De Cordova-Reid, Maja (Cavaleiro 72’), Lookman (Anguissa 82’)
