Fulham 1 - 0 Everton [L]

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A trip to the banks of the River Thames and Marco Sliva's Fulham side at Craven Cottage is on the cards this afternoon.  What strip will they wear?

But, equally important, what line-up will Moyes go for now he has almost a full squad -- and the addition of exciting youngster Tyrique George on loan?

But of course Moyes, ever cautious, sticks that young talent on the bench, alongside Tyler Dibling, to whom Moyes has issued his strongest verbal challenge yet. Jarrad Branthwaite is also there, Moyes sticking with experience over skill and speed, as Mykolenkoo gets to start ahead of him. 

No room for Dwight McNeil or Seamus Coleman anywhere in the squad.  Former Blue Iwobi starts for Fulham but Antonee Robinson is only on the bench.

First Half

The Blues, all in blue, kicked off and Ndiaye quickly got in behind but his cross was intercepted. From a long O'Brien throw-in, a deep cross did not reach Armstrong on the far post. Fulham's response ended with an offside flag.

Gana was barged overe as he waited for a high ball to drop but Everton wasted the free-kick. The ball was worked well down the left but Armstrong played the wrong ball. He got a chance to make amends with an easy through ball or a shot but messed that up as well. However, Chukwueze fouled him wide left. 

Garner went for goal and Leno was alert to tip it over. The corner was better, to the far post where O'Brien got slightly under it, hitting the other post! Coulda scored!!!

Everton were winning the ball back well but wasting possession with long balls that Barry had no idea how to win.  A good Fulham cross forced Pickford to come out and punch the ball behind. Fulham came close from the corner, O'Brien heading off the line. Everton defended the next corner but could not break out and Mykolenko fouled his man. 

The free-kick from Harry Wilson was headed away by Tarkowski, with a foul called against Fulham. It had been a much more lively front-foot start from the Blues but 15 minutes gone and nothing to show. 

Instead, it was Fulham who mounted a stronger attack, O'Brien having to make a crucial clearance. But the next attack was defended chaotically and Sessegnon's shot saved by Picford but coming back off Mykolenko for an own-goal. Bummer! Gana booked for an excessively dangerous tackle on Smith-Rowe in the build-up.

A flowing Fulham should have brought a second as they surged down the Everton right but for a brilliant save by Pickford from Chukwueze's first-time strike.

Armstrong battled with Castagne, winning another free kick on the left, but Dewsbury-Hall could only put it into Leno's hands and Fulham, galloped away, winning another corner. They kept up the pressure, Everton unable to clear, Ndiaye easily robbed, Smith Rowe striking one first time that smacked off the bar above Pickford.

When Everton did finally regains possession, the choice was to work it back to Pickford from an advanced midfield position before the inevitable turnover saw Fulham attacking again. 

 Dewsbury-Hall played a good ball forward or Barry to work with but he was just a fraction too slow to get his shot off and it was blocked behind for a corner. That came out to  Dewsbury-Hall who drove it wide.

From the Fulham goal-kick, they were quickly into the Everton area, Smith Rowe forcing the ball in to Jimenez, who had the easiest of chances but he too drove the ball wide with the goal gaping. 

Ndiaye and Armstrong swapped sides and that saw an Ndiaye cross parried to Armstrong who looked to volley into the far side of the goal but it flew wide of the angle by a foot. 

 

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca; Iwobi, Chukwueze, Berge; Sessegnon, Wilson, Smith Rowe; Jimenez. 

Subs: Lecomte, Tete, Bassey, Reed, Rodrigo Muniz, Bobb, Kevin, King, Robinson. 

Everton:   Pickford; Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, O’Brien; Garner, Gueye [Y:18']; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong; Barry.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, Beto, George, Dibling, Alcaraz, Branthwaite, Röhl, Iroegbunam.

 

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