Everton squanders lead, denting European qualification

Fulham’s European Dream Fades as Everton Mounts Spectacular Late Show

In a dramatic turn of events at Craven Cottage, Everton snatched a 2-1 victory against hosts Fulham, leaving the latter’s European aspirations hanging by a thread. Vitali Mykolenko’s deflected strike on the stroke of half-time, followed by a rapidfire brace from Michael Keane and movements from Bernando Leno and Beto in the closing stages, sealed Fulham’s fate.

Fulham’s Dominance Fails to Yield Points

Fulham started brightly, with open-play dominance reflected in the possession stats (63% – 37%) and chances created (16 – 7). Raul Jimenez put them ahead in the 23rd minute, heading home a well-worked corner. However, a 28-point haul dropped from winning positions this season tells a story of missed opportunities.

“We let another lead slip,” confessed Marco Silva, Fulham’s boss. “We were the best team on the pitch, but lost concentration in the final ten minutes. It’s unacceptable.”

Everton’s Late Show Spoils Fulham’s Party

The game turned on its head in a frantic three-minute spell. Jordan Pickford’s fingertips denied Harry Wilson in the 65th minute, but his intervention proved mere respite. Dwight McNeil’s deep corner was powerfully headed in by an almost-almost Keane in the 88th minute, with VAR’s intervention proving inconclusive on foul and offside claims.

Leno, at the heart of the action, couldn’t prevent Beto’s well-placed shot from creeping into the bottom right corner, gifting Everton the winner moments later.

“We were incredibly poor in the first 30 minutes,” admitted Everton boss David Moyes. “But in the end, it was only 1-0 going into half-time, and things started to change. It was a fantastic team performance.”

Fulham’s European Hopes Rest on Knife Edge

With this loss, Fulham remains in tenth place, four points adrift of eighth-placed Brentford. Their top-eight hopes are looking increasingly slim, with just four games left to play.

“We have to do our job,” said Silva, “Irrespective of what other clubs do. It’s more difficult now, and we need to analyze why we’ve faltered in the last stretch.”