In a dramatic Premier League showdown at Craven Cottage, Everton snatched a late 2-1 victory over Fulham, continuing their impressive away form and reigniting hopes of European qualification. The Saturday afternoon clash was billed as a mid-table battle, with Fulham sitting ninth and Everton tenth, but the game delivered far more than just a routine contest between neighbors in the standings.
Fulham, managed by former Everton boss Marco Silva, came into this fixture after a topsy-turvy season marked by big wins against Chelsea and Brighton, a thrilling draw against Liverpool, and frustrating defeats to Leeds United. Their most recent outing—a narrow 3-2 loss at Manchester United—highlighted both their attacking flair and defensive frailty. Everton, meanwhile, were fresh from a gritty 1-1 draw at Brighton, with manager David Moyes seeking a more cohesive performance and the Toffees boasting the shortest injury list they’d had all season.
The match began with Everton showing intent, nearly breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute when Jake O'Brien's header from a James Garner corner struck the post. Fulham, however, responded with purpose. Alex Iwobi, facing his former club, tested Jordan Pickford before the home side took the lead in the 18th minute. Samuel Chukwueze, a constant threat down the wing, orchestrated a slick move that culminated in Pickford saving from Raul Jimenez, only for the ball to ricochet off Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko and into the net—a cruel own goal that put Fulham ahead.
Fulham dominated much of the first half, with Chukwueze and Emile Smith Rowe both rattling the crossbar and Pickford forced into a spectacular fingertip save to deny Chukwueze. Silva’s side seemed poised to extend their lead, but Everton’s defense held firm, keeping the deficit to just one at the break.
As the second half unfolded, Everton found their footing. Moyes, serving a touchline ban, made bold changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Beto and new signing Tyrique George—who was expected to make his debut off the bench. The substitutions injected fresh energy, and the Toffees began to press higher up the pitch. The equalizer arrived in the 76th minute, and it was a moment of redemption for Mykolenko. Breaking down the left, he evaded Timothy Castagne and squared for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who finished from close range. It was Dewsbury-Hall’s first goal since returning from injury, and it shifted the momentum entirely.
With the traveling Evertonians still celebrating, the visitors struck again just seven minutes later. Dewsbury-Hall, now brimming with confidence, swung in a dangerous corner that Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno failed to handle. The ball slipped through Leno’s grasp and crossed the line—an own goal that handed Everton a dramatic late lead. The turnaround was complete, and Fulham were left to rue their missed opportunities and defensive lapses.
"Dewsbury-Hall has seemingly breathed new life into Everton's season and proved that there is plenty to play for—specifically European football—between now and the end of May," reported BBC Sport, capturing the significance of the midfielder’s impact. For Everton, this was their sixth away win of the Premier League campaign, a testament to their resilience on the road. The victory lifted them to seventh place in the standings, leapfrogging Fulham, who dropped to tenth.
The story of the afternoon was not just about the goals, but also about the tactical chess match between Silva and Moyes. Fulham’s attacking trio of Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, and Jimenez caused problems throughout the first half, but Everton’s defensive adjustments at halftime paid dividends. Moyes’s willingness to mix up formations—having previously lined up with four center-halves—showed a flexibility that has been vital during a season marked by injuries and squad rotation.
The match was also significant for several individual narratives. Mykolenko’s journey from first-half villain to second-half hero encapsulated the unpredictable nature of football. Dewsbury-Hall’s return from injury could not have been better timed, especially with Jack Grealish sidelined for the season. The midfielder, along with fellow new signings Thierno Barry and Grealish (prior to his injury), was brought in to help Everton move past seasons of turbulence and flirtations with relegation.
Fulham, meanwhile, will be left wondering what might have been. Despite flashes of brilliance from their attacking stars and a dominant first half, their inability to close out matches continues to haunt them. The Cottagers have now failed to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive Premier League games, a run stretching back to December 27. Defensive lapses have repeatedly undermined their progress, as highlighted by Leno’s costly error late on.
"For much of the game, it seemed as though Everton had no answer for Silva's side and the slick transitions they produced as Chukwueze, Smith Rowe and Jimenez came close to adding a second," noted BBC Sport. Yet, as has become a worrying trend, Fulham’s defensive weaknesses were exposed in the crucial moments.
Looking ahead, Everton will aim to build on this momentum when they host Bournemouth at the Hill Dickenson Stadium in their next league fixture. Moyes will be buoyed by the return of key players from injury and international duty, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye both available after their AFCON campaigns. Tyrique George’s lively cameo suggests he could play a bigger role as the season progresses.
Fulham, on the other hand, face a daunting trip to title-chasing Manchester City before turning their attention to the FA Cup, where they will travel to Stoke City in the fourth round. Silva will need to address his side’s defensive issues quickly if they are to keep their own European ambitions alive.
With both sides still very much in the hunt for a top-half finish and potential European spots, this contest at Craven Cottage was a microcosm of their seasons: moments of promise, flashes of brilliance, and the ever-present threat of letting it all slip away. For Everton, at least on this rain-soaked afternoon in London, the belief is back—and the blue half of Merseyside dares to dream once more.