Everton player ratings from Chris Beesley as the Blues come from behind to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was excellent in Everton's victory
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was excellent in Everton's victory(Image: PA)
View Image
Everton hung on at Craven Cottage for a remarkable 2-1 comeback win over Fulham.
Despite a bright Everton opening, Fulham went ahead on 18 minutes in what was unfortunate circumstances for the visitors as Jordan Pickford did well to deny Raul Jimenez only for the rebound to fly into his own net off Blues left-back Vitalii Mykolenko. From that point onwards, Everton’s goal had a charmed life for the remainder of the first half with Marco Silva’s side hitting the woodwork on several occasions.
However, the Blues improved after the break, although their chances of mounting a comeback appeared slim until Mykolenko teed up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for his 75th minute equaliser that went in off Bent Leno’s hand. If the Fulham keeper should have done better there, then his actions for Everton’s second goal were ridiculous as he punched a Dewsbury-Hall corner into his own net when O’Brien was stood in front of him.
Jordan Pickford 8
Provided heroics to keep Everton in this contest, he was desperately unfortunate to concede after he’d made a terrific save to deny Raul Jimenez, only for the rebound to hit Vitalii Mykolenko for an own goal and then just moments later, he made a spectacular fingertip stop to turn Samuel Chukwueze’s curling shot around the post and has also denied Emile Smith Rowe from close range.
Jake O’Brien 7
Booked late on for a foul on Kevin, he made big contributions at both ends as it was his towering presence that seemingly forced Bernd Leno to punch the ball into his own net and it was his header from James Garner’s corner that hit the top of the Fulham post and then he nodded away a goal-bound header from Sander Berge before also making a smart interception to cut out a low Ryan Sessegnon cross.
Vitalii Mykolenko 6
After what had been a difficult afternoon for him with a string of misplaced passes, he went from villain to hero by putting in the cross for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser having been unable to get himself out of the way to prevent an unfortunate own goal when the ball rebounded from Pickford’s save against him and into the Everton net.
James Tarkowski 6
Headed over from a James Garner corner in the second half, he’d earlier played his side into trouble with a slack pass to Jake O’Brien and while he battled hard as always, this wasn’t a vintage showing.
Michael Keane 7
Had his hands full trying to keep Raul Jimenez under wraps, but he looked decent in the air in both areas as the visitors had to dig deep.
Idrissa Gueye 6
Industrious display as he was mostly fighting fires in front of his back four rather than pushing up the field.
James Garner 7
Looked a threat with his deliveries from set-pieces and tried to drive the ball forwards from the centre of the park, he was booked for catching Emile Smith Rowe.
Harrison Armstrong 6
Starting his sixth straight game having been kept on for the rest of the season rather than sent back to Preston, he began on the left but then reverted to the right where he played at the Amex Stadium and continues to look the part wherever David Moyes deploys him, going close with a half-volleyed effort from the outside of his boot.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 8
The Chelsea old boy enjoyed his goal at the home of their west London rivals as his low left-foot shot proved too hot for Bernd Leno to handle, he’d earlier flashed a shot wide when an Everton corner was only half-cleared and he also provided the cross for the winner with his corner.
Iliman Ndiaye 6
Started on the right wing but then moved to the left, there were flashes of the skills that have made him an Everton fans’ favourite and his energy always provided an outlet, but there is more in his locker.
Thierno Barry 6
An afternoon of things almost happening for Everton’s starting striker as a poor first touch from a Dewsbury-Hall through-ball scuppered his best opportunity, but he still won a corner and he worked hard for the cause, stretching for a ball across the box, also from Dewsbury-Hall.
Substitutes
Beto (on 68 for Barry) 7
His closing down in the final quarter of the match helped turn the tide in dramatic fashion.
Tyrique George (on 68 for Armstrong) 7
Flashed a shot over the bar on an eventful debut.
Jarrad Branthwaite (on 85 for Mykolenko)
Brought on as left-back late on to shore things up and made a fine headed clearance from a Kenny Tete cross.
Tim Iroegbunam (on 94 for Dewsbury-Hall)
Stoppage time cameo.