Fulham vs Everton Player Ratings: Dewsbury-Hall powers turnaround at Craven Cottage

Everton came back from a goal down to secure a splendid 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall powered the second-half turnaround in a game that saw two own goals. Vitalii Mykolenko inadvertently deflected the ball in after the rebound off Jordan Pickford's initial save for Fulham’s opener, while Bernd Leno punched the ball into his own net off Dewsbury-Hall’s corner.

Everton were under the cosh in the first half at Craven Cottage. After Jake O’Brien struck the far post from a corner, the hosts grew into the game. After taking the lead, the Cottagers continued to press forward with Ryan Sessegnon threatening from the left with dangerous crosses and cutbacks.

Jimenez had another glorious chance from close range but dragged his shot wide off target while Chukwueze also struck the crossbar shortly before half-time

The second half, however, was a different story with the Blues pressing closer to Fulham’s goal and creating strong openings. Mykolenko showed a great bit of skill to create separation and then find Dewsbury-Hall for the equaliser. O’Brien then held his ground against Leno, which led to the winner off Dewsbury-Hall’s corner seven minutes before the end of regulation time.

As things stand, the result takes Everton to seventh in the league table with 37 points.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 2-1 win over Fulham:

Jordan Pickford: 7.5

Pickford was unfortunate to concede the opener after making a great save off Raul Jimenez the first time, even though the ball took a rebound before entering the net off Mykolenko. 

He also produced a brilliant save off Samuel Chukwueze and made himself big to deny Emile Smith Rowe from close range.

Jake O’Brien: 7

O’Brien registered early involvement in both boxes, hitting Fulham’s far post from a corner while heading out Sander Berge’s lofted header from Pickford’s goal. There was a breakdown in communication between O’Brien and Tarkowski which led to a glorious opportunity for Jimenez from close range. The Irish international held his ground strongly up against Leno from the corner which led to the Fulham goalkeeper turning the ball into his own net.

James Tarkowski: 5

There was a lot left to be desired from Everton’s centre-halves, especially in the first half. Tarkowski failed to track Smith Rowe’s run into the box but Pickford was on hand to make a great save. His sideways pass to O’Brien also invited danger in front of goal and he received a yellow for holding back Jimenez blatantly.

Michael Keane: 5

Not the best of games for Keane whose headed clearances lacked conviction and invited danger.

Vitalii Mykolenko (replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite at 85’): 6.5

Mykolenko was unfortunate not to be able to get out of the way for the own goal in the first half. He was also guilty of a few misplaced passes but the Ukrainian full-back made up for it with a great bit of skill in the opposition box to set up Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser.

Idrissa Gueye: 5

Gana Gueye had a rather passive afternoon at Craven Cottage today where he neither excelled at providing defensive cover, nor at setting up chances at the other end. Went into the referee’s book in the buildup to Fulham’s opener

James Garner: 7

By far, Everton’s best midfielder today, Garner showed determination to keep pushing in the first half. He sent a great diagonal ball to Mykolenko in the first quarter and threatened from set-pieces.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (replaced by Tim Iroegbunam at 90+5’): 8

Dewsbury-Hall almost set up Everton’s equaliser towards the end of the first half. He controlled the ball well before spraying a fantastic pass to Barry on the half turn, however, the Frenchman couldn’t get convincing contact on it

Everton’s number 22, however, finished off Mykolenko’s cutback to score the equaliser. He then delivered the corner for the winning goal.

Iliman Ndiaye: 6

Ndiaye used his silky feet to fashion out an opening for Harrison Armstrong. Kept switching between the left and right flanks during the game but didn’t have the biggest impact today.

Thierno Barry (replaced by Beto at 68’): 4.5

Barry was unable to get a proper contact on Dewsbury-Hall’s ball which could’ve been the equaliser for the Blues before the break. He also had a decent half-chance fashioned out by Ndiaye in the second 45 but couldn’t sort his feet out in time. Scrappy afternoon for the youngster.

Harrison Armstrong (replaced by Tyrique George at 68’): 6.5

Playing on the wings is probably not the best use of Armstrong’s talents. The teenager started on the left, where some of his deft touches and combinations stood out, before drifting on to the right. Armstrong also had a chance following a great bit of play from Ndiaye but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

Substitutions

Beto: 5

Beto almost managed to get in a 1v1 with the goalkeeper using his strength and pace shortly after coming on.

Tyrique George: 6.5

The Deadline Day signing made a strong impression on his Everton debut! He brought pace and energy and contributed to the buildup to Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser.

Jarrad Branthwaite: N/A

Played at left-back again to protect the lead in the final minutes.

Tim Iroegbunam: N/A

Brought on in injury time.

 

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