A round-up of how the national media reported on Everton's 2-0 win over Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium
For the third time this season, Everton went into an international break on the back of a win as they overcame Fulham 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Goals either side from half-time from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane sealed the victory.
And it could have been more had VAR not ruled out three further strikes from Thierno Barry, James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
But that did little to wipe the smiles off Evertonians' faces as they basked in a success that means David Moyes' men are once again looking up the Premier League rather than down after a run of three games without one.
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And here’s a round-up of how the national media reported on the action.
In the Guardian, Andy Hunter wrote: "The onus is not only on Everton’s goal-shy strikers to turn promising play into points, David Moyes had stated before Fulham’s visit. The Everton manager’s wish was duly granted as Idrissa Gueye andMichael Keane delivered a deserved victory over Marco Silva’s toothless team.
"Everton’s second win in nine matches arrived in relative comfort with Fulham demonstrating why their leading scorer this season is opposition own goals. A 20-minute spell in the second half aside, the visitors were easily subdued by Everton’s greater urgency, physicality and quality.
"Fulham will be in trouble on this evidence. The hosts had three goals disallowed for offside too but a poacher’s finish from Gueye in first-half stoppage time and Keane’s late effort ensured there would be no reprieve for the former Everton manager.
"Everton striker Thierno Barry drew another blank in front of goal and was again downcast when substituted for Beto, as was the case at Sunderland on Monday. But the 23-year-old departed to a rousing ovation in recognition of a much-improved display. Barry’s movement and work-rate occupied Fulham’s central defenders and helped give Everton the edge throughout."
In the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele wrote: "Fulham have been the opposite of a bogey team over the years for David Moyes and proved just the tonic again for the Everton boss.
"It was Moyes’ 20th Premier League victory over the Cottagers, which makes them his favourite opposition by some distance – he has no more than 12 wins over any other team.
"This victory came after Everton had won just one of their previous eight games and had started to see early-season optimism slowly eroding, with fans’ grumbles growing and Moyes’s two strikers both short of confidence.
"But the 2-0 scoreline flattered Fulham after Everton had three goals chalked off for offside and the away side barely threatened at the other end. Marco Silva, once of this parish, now sits just a point above the relegation zone.
"Aside from the goals, the loudest applause of the afternoon came when striker Thierno Barry was substituted on 79 minutes. After signing for £27million from Villarreal in the summer, the Frenchman has a record of played 13, scored zero.
"Moyes is asked nearly every day about his No 9 problems, with fellow striker Beto only netting once this season, and the boss said on Friday how Barry did not help his cause to be in the XI with two ‘stupid’ yellow cards in previous games.
"But Barry put in an all-round pleasing display. He linked up with team-mates, put his body around by leading the press and went oh so close to opening his Premier League account but was pulled back for offside.
"He missed a golden chance at Sunderland on Monday and looked like he wanted the earth below to swallow him whole but Moyes deserves credit for sticking by Barry here. Drop him and the 23-year-old’s confidence would have been on the floor.
"Was he perfect? No, and he knows goals are the magic currency that will keep him in the side. But a battling performance will give him confidence he can kick on… and a rousing reception from the home faithful cannot do him any harm."
Inthe Independent, Carl Markham wrote: "With the Toffees’ two strikers Beto and Thierno Barry scoring just one Premier League goal between them so far this season, there is an imperative for others to chip in. But in a team boasting the attacking talents of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall it was their defensive midfielder and centre-back who made the difference.
"The two teams had scored just 22 between them in 20 combined Premier League matches so the first goal was important and Gueye’s intervention, in the fourth minute of first-half added time, was even more crucial as an offside flag denied Everton on three occasions in a match they should have won more comfortably.
"Gueye stabbed home his second of the campaign after Tim Iroegbunam had completely fluffed his shot in front of goal from a James Tarkowski header which rebounded off the crossbar. After failing to score at all last season, Gueye is well on his way to beat his best return of four in an Everton shirt from 2023-24.
"Keane flicked home a Dewsbury-Hall corner with 10 minutes to go to banish any late anxiety. They were contributions gratefully received by boss David Moyes, whose side ended a run of one win in eight matches in all competitions.
"Moyes gave a vote of confidence to Barry, starting back-to-back league matches for the first time, after his glaring miss at Sunderland on Monday. The 23-year-old’s pace and movement continue to offer potential but, unfortunately, he does not yet look like he has the physicality required for a top-flight striker."
And in the ECHO, Joe Thomas wrote: "Everton took a valuable three points from a deserved win over Fulham. But the biggest victory may have been the progress made in the search for a striker.
"Thierno Barry did not last the full 90 minutes but the decision to withdraw him before the end was an easy one given it allowed all four stands to rise in appreciation. He left Sunderland looking devastated after his terrible miss proved to be the turning point in a game Everton lost control of. Five days later he departed the stage a hero.
"The 23-year-old was a menace against Fulham. He caused centre backs Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey problems through the entire 79 minutes he spent on the pitch. The summer signing battled to get in front of the pair, chased lost causes and ensured he was not bullied out of the match. Crucially, he not only looked a threat, but he provided a focal point that have been missing so far this season, showing control and intelligence to knit attacks with those around him."Of real importance was that he stood out as a vital part in a functioning team. On Monday, he looked isolated as he dealt with his frustrations - the pitch and the dugout looked like a lonely place for him."Fast-forward to Saturday afternoon and, before the stadium stood for the Last Post ahead of the Remembrance game, Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, Keane and Vitalii Mykolenko lined up to embrace him, one-by-one. As he walked off the pitch nearly two hours later, Idrissa Gueye chased him down to share a moment with the forward. David Moyes, who had demanded accountability from his young star but placed the faith in him to start so soon after the disappointment in the north east, shared a few close words on the touchline."