Sunday Fulham Stuff (20.03.11)

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Hughes' Everton Reaction

Saturday 19th March 2011




Speaking after Saturday's Barclays Premier League defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, Manager Mark Hughes gave his post-match assessment.

"We gave ourselves too much to do," said Hughes after the game. "The manner of our first-half performance was too passive and Everton were allowed to dictate the game to us. In the second-half we were better in that respect but it was disappointing because we've played better than that lately.

"Invariably they [Everton] try to get out wide, they've got good quality in wider areas and they can get good quality balls into the box if you allow them to.

"Unfortunately that was the case for the first goal. The second one was just a freak goal from our point of view, it went through three people's legs and it was very difficult for Mark [Schwarzer] to adjust his position.

"At two-nil down it's a mountain to climb but we came back and showed a good response. We created a number of chances that, on another day, might have gone in for us. Unfortunately it wasn't to be and we ran out of time.

"In the second-half we engaged with them a lot more aggressively and stopped things at source which helped us. As a consequence, our performance improved in the second-half, but in the first-half we were too passive. If you don't start in the way you mean to go on then you can find yourself in a situation where you're behind in the game."

One bright note was second-half substitute Bobby Zamora, who made an immediate impact on proceedings, setting up Clint Dempsey's strike on 62 minutes.

"We made a change and almost instantly it paid dividends for us," Hughes said. "It's still early days for Bobby, he's still not quite ready to start games but he's going to benefit from a couple more weeks' training prior to our next Premier League game. By that time I would imagine he's very close to starting – so he just needs a little bit more work."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/March/HughesEvertonReaction.aspx#ixzz1H80Qzkks

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Everton 2 - 1 Fulham

Mark Hughes retained the same starting eleven to play Everton on Saturday that beat Blackburn Rovers by three goals to two in Fulham's last Barclays Premier League encounter two weeks ago.

The man that earned Hughes' side all three points against Rovers, Bobby Zamora, took his place amongst Fulham's substitutes as he neared a return to full match fitness. Zamora was joined by Simon Davies, Jonathan Greening, Gael Kakuta, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Stephen Kelly and goalkeeper David Stockdale on the bench.

Fulham resided just two points behind ninth placed Everton prior to Saturday's 5:30pm kick-off. The home side were without two of their most influential players, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini due to long term injuries, but with the likes of Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill and former Fulham striker Louis Saha, Everton's attacking threat remained potent.

With seven Premier League results confirmed ahead of Fulham's evening kick-off, Hughes' Team kicked-off knowing that a rare victory at Goodison Park would project Fulham into eighth place.

After a perfectly observed minute's silence for the victims of the recent natural disaster in Japan, the game got underway on an early spring evening on Merseyside. It was a quiet start on and off the pitch, with captains Murphy and Neville livening things up with a full-blooded challenge after five minutes in the middle of the park. Osman then fired in the first shot of the match three minutes later, but his left footed strike from the edge of the area flew harmlessly wide of Schwarzer's goal.

With Johnson and Dembele leading Fulham's line, there was no shortage of pace in the final third, and there were a few positive signs early on that space could be exploited behind Jagielka and Distin. Danny Murphy was looking to pull the strings from a deep midfield position and his partner in the middle of the park, Dickson Etuhu, appeared fully fit after a recent hamstring injury. 

After 20 minutes of play Everton were arguably showing greater attacking intent, but Fulham had restricted the home side to two speculative shots from distance and a half-chance from an early corner. Mark Hughes' side had certainly silenced the crowd, which was strangely subdued.

Former Fulham favourite Louis Saha woke the home crowd up after 25 minutes with a shot from inside the area that was blocked by Chris Baird. Saha's effort marked the start of a sustained spell of pressure from the home side. Carlos Salcido was forced to clear off the line just after the half hour mark had passed as Everton consistently targeted Fulham's right flank.

The home side's pressure down their left hand side eventually proved telling with ten minutes of the first-half remaining. Another probing move down Everton's left resulted in a cross to the far post by Osman. Coleman was left unmarked at the far post to head across goal and into the corner of the net.

Fulham took the attacking initiative as the first half drew to a close with Clint Dempsey firing just wide of Howard's goal with barely a minute left. It was Fulham's first clear strike on goal of the game and during injury time Dempsey tried again with a sublime piece of skill on the edge of the area, but was denied by Coleman, who blocked the American's path to goal.

Both sides remained unchanged for the second-half and within five minutes of the restart Everton had doubled their lead through former Fulham striker Louis Saha. The home side earned an indirect free-kick 25 yards from goal after Etuhu had fouled Rodwell as he charged towards Fulham's 18-yard line. Saha stepped up and fired a low drive that arrowed into the bottom corner of the net. The precision and power of Saha's strike left Schwarzer with no chance.

Damien Duff attempted to pull a goal back for Fulham 10 minutes later with a drive from the edge of the area but Howard collected with ease. Just a few moments later Schwarzer was forced to produce a diving save to deny Coleman's long range effort. The game had certainly opened up following Everton's second as Fulham looked to recover lost ground.

Mark Hughes made the first change of the game with 30 minutes remaining, introducing Bobby Zamora for Dickson Etuhu. Clint Dempsey moved into central midfield alongside Danny Murphy with Mousa Dembele switching to the left flank. Zamora partnered Andrew Johnson in attack.

Zamora's introduction had an immediate impact, with Fulham reducing the deficit barely a minute later through Clint Dempsey. A cross from the right wing by Duff fell to Zamora on the 18 yard line and the striker's lay-off found Dempsey, who fired home his 10th goal of the season from the edge of the area.

Fulham were attacking in waves following Dempsey's goal with Zamora unsettling Everton's defence from the moment he entered the fray. David Moyes made his first change of the game with 20 minutes remaining, introducing John Heitinga for Tim Cahill. 

Bobby Zamora looked on a one-man mission to turn the game on it's head. His pure physical presence and desire to upset Everton's back line was unsettling the home crowd who could sense the danger Zamora constantly posed. 

With 15 minutes remaining Mark Hughes freshened up his attack with the introduction of Gael Kakuta for Damien Duff. Kakuta took his place on the left wing with Dembele switching to the right hand side. Fulham continued to press and ask serious questions of Everton's backline. The only break in Fulham's drive for an equaliser was when Salcido headed the ball clear off his own line with seven minutes remaining.

Hughes made his final change of the game with six minutes left on the clock. Andrew Johnson was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen, who lined up next to Zamora in attack. Moments later there was concern for Louis Saha who was stretchered from the field of play after challenging for a header in the middle of the park. David Moyes was forced to replace Saha with Jermaine Beckford.

Time was against Fulham as they continued to search for an equaliser. Just before the Fourth Official indicated five minutes of added time, Clint Dempsey struck a right footed attempt from the edge of the area that seared over Howard's bar.

During added time Fulham pinned Everton back and delivered wave after wave of attack but the home side's defence stood firm and David Moyes' side took all three points from Saturday's contest at Goodison Park



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/1011/Premiership/EvertonAway.aspx#ixzz1H80lnQhL

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Everton Photo Special


Saturday 19th March 2011


http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/March/EvertonPhotoSpecial.aspx

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http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/everton-2-1-fulham.html

Everton 2-1 Fulham

By: Sam | March 19th, 2011

Sixty minutes in. Zamora comes on for Etuhu. Zamora, just inside the penalty box, lays the ball to Dempsey. Dempsey shoots, he aims it low and into the net. Everton restart. Fulham begin to play as if they could grab another. Was a comeback on the cards?

Nope. Two Everton goals were enough to carry them to their eighteenth home victory in a row against Fulham. Everton's first goal came from a Leon Osman cross that found the head of an unmarked Seamus Coleman. The closest Fulham player was Carlos Salcido but he was marking Tim Cahill. After the goal was scored Salcido showed a frustration in the lack of marking in the area.

A few minutes after the second half started, Everton got their second. Leighton Baines laid the ball to Louis Saha from a free-kick near the edge of the Fulham box. Saha shot the ball straight through Fulham's wall. Two-nil and Everton looked comfortable.

But Fulham weren't going to give up that easily. Mark Hughes threw on attacker after attacker. First Zamora, then Gudjohnsen and finally Kakuta. Fulham moved the ball well after Dempsey's goal and had a ten minute spell where a second goal looked likely. But the spell faded and Everton began to look hungry for a third – Salcido forced to make a second goal-line clearance, this time from an Osman header.

Fulham's search for an equaliser returned as they mounted some pressure in the closing stage of the match. In the last of five added minutes Danny Murphy took a corner – maybe a Brede Hangeland header could clinch a comeback, again. Everton cleared from the corner and were happy to hear the final whistle blown. They are now two points off a Europa League spot. Fulham, however, tread close to the relegation zone with three points separating them from Wolves in 18th place. But then four teams are also all level on one point above Wolves. So nothing to worry about, too much. Just to expect a mid-table finish.

Apart from the score, it was a shame to see Louis Saha stretchered off the pitch injured in the 87th minute. He challenged for a header with Hangeland and landed awkwardly. It didn't look like much but he looked in real pain. Here's to a quick recovery for him.

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http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14320_6823947,00.html


KG: Mbazo will be missed

South Africa midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi admits former captain Aaron Mokoena will be missed following his omission from the squad to face Egypt next week.

Coach Pitso Mosimane decided against calling up the 30-year-old Portsmouth defender who is South Africa's most-capped player, with Morgan Gould or Siyabonga Sangweni expected to replace him on Saturday against The Pharaohs.

And Dikgacoi, who will link up with the rest of the Bafana squad following struggling Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw with Derby County, revealed his surprise that 'Mbazo' had been dropped.

"Aaron will be missed because he was the key player in the team," the 26-year-old told Football365.co.za.

"He always added value and was a good leader that a lot of the players looked up to. But then it is the manager who is the one to decide who to pick so we just have to carry on without him."

After featuring for just four minutes for his parent club Fulham this season, Dikgacoi has been an ever-present for Palace and scored the winner in a recent win over Cardiff City - his first goal since moving to England in August 2009.

With regular game-time under his belt, 'KG' has been tipped to earn a recall to Mosimane's starting line-up for The Pharaohs showdown.

"I am looking forward to the game against Egypt - it's a big match and want to take part in helping the team to win it," Dikgacoi said.

"I believe we stand a good chance of getting the result because we have a home ground advantage and the opponents have had difficulties in their country that might have an effect on their game. We know it's not going to be an easy game but hopefully we can do it."

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/03/19/2402579/phil-jagielka-relieved-after-everton-hold-on-to-defeat

Phil Jagielka relieved after Everton hold on to defeat Fulham

Defender insists he felt no pressure with Fabio Capello in stands


By Mike Allen


19 Mar 2011 21:19:00


Phil Jagielka admits Everton almost let a two-goal lead slip after allowing Fulham back into the game as the Toffees secured a 2-1 victory which has taken them into the top eight of the Premier League.

After Seamus Coleman opened the scoring in the first half, Louis Saha doubled the lead shortly after the restart and Jagielka was pleased to see his side hold on after Climp Dempsey's goal signalled a Fulham riposte.

"We came out in the second half with a perfect start, obviously with Louis' goal but unfortunately we couldn't keep the 2-0 lead for long and we like to do things the hard way, but thankfully we've got the three points," Jagielka told ESPN.

The defender almost got himself on the scoresheet after watching his late header cleared off the line by Carlos Salcido and with Fabio Capello watching in the stands, Jagielka insists he felt no extra pressure to perform with Italian about to name his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

"I probably should have scored anyway but I'm not bothered now anyway we won 2-1 so everybody's happy," he said.

"No, I didn't feel pressure - I think he's got a pretty good idea what his squad will be.

"Obviously when you know he's there you try and put in a half decent performance and hopefully I did that and we'll obviously just have to wait until Sunday and see what the squad is."

Coleman who opened the scoring for the Toffees with a powerful header gave an impressive display and the defender admits he was pleased his recent performances have been rewarded with a goal.

"I've had a few chances in the last couple of games at the back post and the keepers pulled out a couple of saves but I was lucky enough today that it went in in the end and thank god we won," he stated.

The 23-year-old believes he is improving with regular Premier League football.

"I'd like to think so," he said. "I'd like to think I've come on lots since the start of the season but I've still got a lot to learn and playing with these players every week can always help.

"Going into the international break we definitely needed to get the win and hopefully from here we can kick on with the last couple of games and get more wins."

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6823955,00.html


Moyes has flashbacks

Saha to have X-ray on injured ankle


Last updated: 19th March 2011   



Everton manager David Moyes had flashbacks to his first match in charge of the Goodison Park club during Saturday's win over Fulham.

The Scot is beginning his 10th year in charge of the Merseyside outfit and marked the occasion with a repeat of a 2-1 success over the Cottagers in March 2002.

Everton's win, courtesy of goals from Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha, which rendered Clint Dempsey's later effort as a consolation, lifts them onto 40 points in the Premier League and they were deserved, if slightly anxious, winners.

Moyes said: "There was a similarity - we went ahead, they got back and it was a bit tense.

"It is a dangerous result 2-0 - the Premier League is not letting any games be won easily, by any side.

Grind
"It was a good victory, we had to grind it out. We are missing a lot of key players.

"My job is to try to find a way of winning."

Everton are now eighth in a congested table, eight points above the relegation zone and looking to finish a disappointing campaign with a flourish.

Moyes added: "Most years at Everton we have been up there, so we have not got any real reason to look down.

"Unfortunately the form we have been in has made us think we might have to, but we are grinding our way out of it.


Downside
"I don't know if it will be enough but I would hope we take some more points before the end of the season."

The only downside for Everton was the loss of top scorer Saha on a stretcher in the closing minutes after the Frenchman landed awkwardly.

Moyes is already without key midfielder Marouane Fellaini for the rest of the season and playmaker Mikel Arteta for a prolonged period.

The Everton boss said: "It looks as if he landed heavily on his ankle. We will get him X-rayed and see how he is.

"He had a hamstring problem - we were just about to substitute him when he went up for that header and landed awkwardly."

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http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/03/19/zamora-fitness-key-for-fulham-says-mark-hughes-64767-28367994/


Zamora fitness key for Fulham, says Mark Hughes

Mar 19 2011



By Yann Tear




MARK HUGHES says Fulham badly need Bobby Zamora back to full fitness so the striker can play a bigger role for the Whites in the remainder of the season.

The striker came on after an hour at Everton and almost immediately set up a goal for Clint Dempsey which nearly sparked a revival.

"Almost immediately, he gave us more focus to our attacks, more physicality," the Fulham boss said.

"He's not quite ready to start games at the moment, but you see the difference when he does play. We need to get him back and firing.

"In the second half, we were much better, but we conceded a goal either side of the half-time break and that made it really difficult for us."

Hughes added: "First half, I was a bit disappointed with what we produced. I thought we were a little bit too passive and I thought Everton were more aggressive towards us and dictated to us and we had to address that, which I thought we did in the second half, but in the end we just ran out of time."

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6823976,00.html


Hughes demands more


But Londoners boss was pleased with second-half display


Last updated: 19th March 2011   

Fulham manager Mark Hughes acknowledges that his side cannot afford to perform at anything other than their peak.

A 2-1 defeat at Everton on Saturday evening leaves the Londoners with work to do to ensure they do not get dragged into a Premier League relegation battle.

With eight games remaining, Fulham are only three points above 18th-placed Wolves and Hughes, who has been linked with Bayern Munich, was disappointed with the first-half display.

Seamus Coleman scored in the 36th minute and former Fulham striker Louis Saha struck his club's second goal through a congested penalty area at a free-kick four minutes after half-time.

Clint Dempsey ensured that Everton did not cruise to victory, but Hughes said: "It was difficult for us to get out but we can play better than we did in the first half.

Force the issue
"We showed that in the second half but conceded a very unlucky goal (Saha's) - it went through about three players' legs and Mark Schwarzer was unable to keep it out.

"At 2-0 down, not playing particularly well, we made a change and got Bobby (Zamora) on and that seemed to help.

"We got back into the game at 2-1 and were forcing the issue towards the end of the game.

"We looked the better team because of that but you can't just play for 45 minutes. You have to play for the full 90.

"In the end we couldn't get that equaliser that certainly our second-half performance deserved."

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http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3284719,00.html


Everton avoid complacency

Goalscorer Saha stretchered from the field in the closing minutes


Last updated: 19th March 2011   


Moment of the match: Clint Dempsey's effort swung the momentum Fulham's way but they were unable to exploit their greater possession in the second half.

Attempt of the match: Phil Jagielka had a header cleared off the line by Fulham's Carlos Salcido.

Save of the match: Everton's Tim Cahill floated a delightful ball over the top, intended for Louis Saha, but Mark Schwarzer was alert and hacked the ball clear after racing out of his box.

Talking point: Saha was stretchered off after landing badly from an aerial battle.

Goal of the match: Dempsey pulled one back for Fulham with a clinical finish inside the box after being teed up by a neat off-load by Bobby Zamora following Damien Duff's cross from the right..

A 2-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday evening reflected Everton manager David Moyes' determination to avoid complacency in the closing weeks of the season as the Scot began his 10th year in charge with a win.

The Goodison Park club still have a faint chance of catching fifth-placed Tottenham, who are nine points ahead with a game in hand, to ensure there are lingering thoughts of a place in Europe in what has generally been considered an underachieving season.

A first-half Seamus Coleman header and Louis Saha's second-half goal ensured that Clint Dempsey's later effort was only a small highlight for Fulham manager Mark Hughes.

Everton's victory was shrouded by the sight of injury-prone goalscorer Saha being stretchered from the field in the closing minutes after landing awkwardly in an aerial challenge against his former club.

Everton were always the dominant side and fully deserved to repeat their victory over the Cottagers in Moyes' first match just over nine years ago.

The Toffees had welcomed back captain Phil Neville and the influential Tim Cahill from injury.

Neville played in midfield in the absence of Mikel Arteta while Cahill was pushed up front with Saha. Tony Hibbert, a survivor from Moyes' opening game, was at right-back.

Opportunity
Fulham were unchanged from their last outing against Blackburn a fortnight ago after Dickson Etuhu overcame a hamstring strain.

The game lacked bite early on but Everton had the better of the play, with Leon Osman curling an effort over and Leighton Baines dragging a shot across goal.

Fulham had an opportunity when Neville bundled former Everton striker Andy Johnson over on the edge of the box but the free-kick came to nothing.

Saha threatened with a run up the middle but Brede Hangeland denied him with a fine tackle.

Saha had another opportunity when he rose to meet a Baines corner but his header bounced and Salcido calmly headed off the line.

Baines then delivered a fine cross for Jack Rodwell but the midfielder's header did not test Mark Schwarzer.

Everton made the breakthrough after Cahill had a shot blocked and the ball rolled out to Baines on the left.

Baines cut it back inside for Osman and the midfielder lifted a cross to the back post for Coleman to place a firm header back across goal and beyond Schwarzer.


Spark
The game at last had the spark it needed and moments later Coleman was stopped in full flow on the edge of the area but the resulting free-kick from Baines was blocked.

Fulham had to wait until first-half injury time for their first serious opportunity as Dempsey shot narrowly wide after good work by Johnson.

Everton took a firm grip on the game four minutes into the second half after Rodwell was brought down just outside the area by Etuhu.

Baines tapped the free-kick to Saha and the Frenchman blasted a low free-kick through the wall for his 10th goal of the season.

Fulham tried to respond but Etuhu's shot into a crowded area was blocked and Damien Duff fired the rebound straight at Tim Howard.

The tempo was much quicker than in the first half and Coleman forced a good save from Schwarzer with a strong run and shot from distance.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes decided to make a change and was instantly rewarded after sending on Bobby Zamora, still being eased back into action after a broken leg, for Etuhu just before the hour.

Zamora, with his back to goal, brilliantly laid off a cross from Duff and the inrushing Dempsey struck a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Jagielka almost made the game safe for Everton with an inch-perfect header but Salcido did brilliantly to again head away from just inside the post.

Zamora failed to make the most of a headed chance at the other end after being picked out by Gael Kakuta.

Saha's afternoon ended in agony in the closing minutes after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge.

He was replaced by Jermaine Beckford, who spurned a good chance to add a third on the break in injury time.


Everton
Team Statistics
Fulham

2 Goals
1

1 1st Half Goals
0

5 Shots on Target
2

2 Shots off Target
6

8 Blocked Shots
6

7 Corners
5

15 Fouls
19

1 Offsides
2

2 Yellow Cards
0

0 Red Cards
0

74.6 Passing Success
76.8

23 Tackles
23

56.5 Tackles Success
65.2

44.6 Possession
55.4

49.2 Territorial Advantage
50.8

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EVERTON 2 - FULHAM 1: LOUIS SAHA GIVES DAVID MOYES HIS PARTY GIFT 


Seamus Coleman's header had given Everton a half-time lead


Sunday March 20,2011


By Mike Whalley 

IT took a while for David Moyes' anniversary party to get going. But Louis Saha made sure that everything turned out all right in the end.

Saha's free-kick proved decisive as Moyes marked nine years in charge at Goodison Park with exactly the same result that began his reign in March 2002.

On that day, Saha was playing up front for Fulham as Everton's manager enjoyed a 2-1 home win.

The years in between have been full of ups and downs for Moyes – with the highs including a couple of memorable European runs and an FA Cup final appearance.

Things haven't been quite so rosy this season, which has fizzled out thanks to an inability to finish teams off and injuries to key players.

Last night, after Seamus Coleman's header had given Everton a half-time lead, Saha's free-kick against his former club looked to have set up a comfortable win.

But Clint Dempsey's goal just past the hour mark made for a jittery finish. And it was a painful finish for Saha, stretchered off after falling awkwardly in a collision with Brede Hangeland.

Moyes can ill-afford another injury, having already lost Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini to long-term setbacks.

Moyes said: "Louis landed heavily on his ankle. We'll get him X-rayed and see how he is.

"We're missing a lot of key players. We had to grind it out."

But the Everton manager was at least able to celebrate a victory which should end any lingering talk of relegation trouble.

You can't say the same for Fulham, who sit just three points above the relegation zone.

Their manager Mark Hughes, linked with Bayern Munich in the week, could be forgiven for having envious thoughts of a move to Germany.     

He said: "We gave ourselves too much to do. We were too passive in the first half."

It was 24 minutes before there was so much as a shot on target, with a Saha effort blocked by Chris Baird.

That was the prelude to a decent spell of Everton pressure, which culminated in their first goal.

Leon Osman turned away from Danny Murphy on the left to create space for a cross, and Coleman escaped the attentions of Carlos Salcido to head in at the far post.

Fulham, up to that point, had shown about as much life as the Michael Jackson statue that owner Mohamed Al Fayed wants to put up at Craven Cottage.

They did, though, start to show signs of improvement in the closing stages of the half. Dempsey cut into the Everton area from the left, and might have equalised but for Phil Neville's block.

Hughes might have hoped his team would build on that in the second half. That hope was quickly extinguished.

Dickson Etuhu fouled Jack Rodwell on the edge of the area and when Baines touched the ball short, Saha's shot went straight through the wall – as Danny Murphy appeared to move – leaving Mark Schwarzer unsighted and helpless. Hughes brought on Bobby Zamora in an attempt to inject some life into his flailing side. And within a couple of minutes, it did the trick.

The striker, back after five months out with a broken leg, laid off Damien Duff's right-wing cross for Dempsey to drive in from the edge of the area.

Fulham had plenty of pressure, but Tim Howard was largely untroubled.

The visitors, who have now lost 18 successive league games at Goodison, didn't spoil the party. Moyes will have been glad of that.



Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/235627/Everton-2-Fulham-1-Louis-Saha-gives-David-Moyes-his-party-gift/Everton-2-Fulham-1-Louis-Saha-gives-David-Moyes-his-party-gift#ixzz1H85BzIuX

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3479179/Everton-2-Fulham-1.html

Everton 2 Fulham 1  


Published: 19 Mar 2011


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LOUIS SAHA struck the winner as Everton held off a spirited Fulham comeback.

Winger Seamus Coleman put the Toffees ahead before Saha doubled the lead shortly after the break.

But Clint Dempsey offered the Cottagers some hope with a 62nd-minute effort.            

However, despite a late flurry of chances, Mark Hughes' men could not find a leveller.

The win moves Everton up to eighth in the Premier League while Fulham are just three points above the relegation zone.

Coleman and Saha's goals meant David Moyes began his 10th year as Everton boss as his started his first — by beating Fulham.

The Scot said: "We let them back into it a little from 2-0, I don't know if we came off the gas or if Fulham upped their game.

"When they got the goal it was tough, they had a lot of the ball and we had to dig in but with the players we had out there in that situation we knew we could do that."

Moyes also had praise for Coleman. He added: "He's been a little bit up and down of late but he's growing and he's still a young boy in footballing terms.

The only sour note for Everton was the sight of Saha coming off on a stretcher after an awkward fall.

Moyes said: "He signalled to the bench just before about his hamstring, so I don't know if its something different."

The game lacked bite early on but Everton had the better of the play, with Leon Osman curling an effort over and Leighton Baines dragging a shot across goal.

Saha had an opportunity when he rose to meet a Baines corner but his header bounced and Salcido calmly headed off the line.

Baines then delivered a fine cross for Jack Rodwell but the midfielder's header did not test Mark Schwarzer.

Everton made the breakthrough after Tim Cahill had a shot blocked and the ball rolled out to Baines on the left.

Baines cut it back inside for Osman and the midfielder lifted a cross to the back the post for Coleman to place a firm header back across goal and beyond Schwarzer.

The game at last had the spark it needed but Fulham had to wait until first-half injury time for their first serious opportunity.

Dempsey shot narrowly wide after good work by Andy Johnson.

Everton took a firm grip on the game four minutes into the second half after Rodwell was brought down just outside the area by Etuhu.

Baines tapped the free-kick to Saha and the Frenchman blasted a low free-kick through the wall for his 10th goal of the season.

Fulham tried to respond but Etuhu's shot into a crowded area was blocked and Damien Duff fired the rebound straight at Tim Howard.

The tempo was much quicker than in the first half and Coleman forced a good save from Schwarzer with a strong run and shot from distance.

Hughes decided to make a change and was instantly rewarded after sending on Bobby Zamora for Etuhu just before the hour.

Zamora, with his back to goal, brilliantly laid off a cross from Duff and the inrushing Dempsey struck a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Phil Jagielka almost made the game safe for Everton with an inch-perfect header but Salcido did brilliantly to again head away from just inside the post.

Zamora failed to make the most of a headed chance at the other end after being picked out by Gael Kakuta.

Saha's afternoon ended in agony in the closing minutes after he landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge.

He was replaced by Jermaine Beckford, who spurned a good chance to add a third on the break in injury time.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 77), Neville, Osman, Cahill (Heitinga 69), Saha (Beckford 87). Subs Not Used: Mucha, Gueye, Anichebe, Baxter. Booked: Osman, Hibbert. Goals: Coleman 36, Saha 49.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido, Duff (Kakuta 75), Murphy, Etuhu (Zamora 60), Dempsey, Dembele, Johnson (Gudjohnsen 84). Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Kelly, Greening, Davies. Goals: Dempsey 62.

Att: 33,239

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

[White Noise]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19032011/63/hughes-deserved-point.html


Hughes: We deserved a point


Sat, 19 Mar 21:19:48 2011

Fulham boss Mark Hughes felt his side deserved to take a draw from their 2-1 defeat at Everton.

The result leaves Fulham with work to do to ensure they do not get dragged into a relegation battle and with eight games remaining, the Londoners are only three points above 18th-placed Wolves.

Hughes said: "It was difficult for us to get out but we can play better than we did in the first half.

"We showed that in the second half but conceded a very unlucky goal - it went through about three players' legs and Mark Schwarzer was unable to keep it out.

"We looked the better team because of that but you can't just play for 45 minutes. You have to play for the full 90.

"In the end we couldn't get that equaliser that certainly our second half performance deserved."

[White Noise]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/everton-2-1-fulham/


Everton 2-1 Fulham

Filed under: Match reports — rich @ 8:17 pm

Go north, try hard, lose.  The annual Goodison defeat is out of the way and we are now free to concentrate on more plausible opponents, such as Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers.

Fulham were poor in the first half.  We couldn't keep the ball, we didn't do especially well getting it off Everton.  Then they scored a poor goal to go ahead, the specifics eluding me at this point but for whatever reason Hangeland wasn't part of a back four that needed all four members at the time, and poor Carlos Salcido was left with Tim Cahill and Seamus Coleman to deal with.  Cahill was alone in the middle of the six yard box so Salcido probably had to go to him, but the ball soared on over them both and Coleman was free to do what he wanted, and his header back across goal was good enough to beat Schwarzer.  Bah.

Just as we thought a second half comeback might be on the cards, Louis Saha hit a rocket to make it 2-0.  The "rocket" descriptor is over-used in football, but seriously, this one did fly as if Saha had attached something explosive to the back of it.  The ball just *went*.  Wowzers.  There remains a good argument that if Saha could play 38 games a season he'd be about as good a centre-forward as there is.

Problems for Fulham then.  The second half was much better, but as we've said before, no use getting aggressive when the fight's over, is there?  Hughes introduced Zamora, whose first touch set up Dempsey, who slid a left footed drive past Howard from the edge of the box.  Nice.  But there was no more from there.  We had all sorts of possession, but Everton know what they're doing at the back and another always looked unlikely.

And so it went.  Hughes sent for Kakuta and Gudjohnsen to thoroughly overload the attacking end of the field, but still nothing.  Dembele screwed a shot wide, Zamora headed wide, but Everton weren't unduly bothered.  Salcido cleared off the line for a second time, Schwarzer made a couple of neat saves, but, well, anyway... we've lost at Everton again.  No sense getting upset about these things; it was never going to be any other way.

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/everton-defeat-leaves-fulham-again-looking-over-their-shoulders-1517621

Everton defeat leaves Fulham again looking over their shoulders


20.03.11 | tribalfootball.com


Fulham boss Mark Hughes admits defeat to Everton has them looking over their shoulder at the dropzone.

With eight games remaining, the Londoners are only three points above 18th-placed Wolves.

Hughes said: "It was difficult for us to get out but we can play better than we did in the first half.

"We showed that in the second half but conceded a very unlucky goal - it went through about three players' legs and Mark Schwarzer was unable to keep it out.

"At 2-0 down, not playing particularly well, we made a change and got Bobby (Zamora) on and that seemed to help.

"We got back into the game at 2-1 and were forcing the issue towards the end of the game.

"We looked the better team because of that but you can't just play for 45 minutes. You have to play for the full 90.

"In the end we couldn't get that equaliser that certainly our second half performance deserved."

[White Noise]

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/03/20/fulham-run-the-rule-over-juventus-alex-manninger/39189/

[White Noise]

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_6842_everton-2-1-fulham-âÃ,€Ã,Â"-toffees-edge-even-encounter.html


Everton 2-1 Fulham – Toffees edge even encounter

By Peter McVitie


Sunday 20 March 2011

Everton picked up three points and jumped to eighth place in the Premier League after a Jekyll & Hyde performance which saw them defeat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday evening.

Goals from Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha were enough to see off the Cottagers and put the Toffees eight points above the relegation zone.

David Moyes's side dominated most of the first half and could have had the game wrapped up by half-time if it weren't for the solid Fulham back line. The second half, however, belonged to the visitors and Mark Hughes's men did well to reduce the deficit with a lovely goal from Clint Dempsey, but no matter how hard they pressed in the second period, they could not grab an equaliser.

The Merseyside team moved the ball around well in the first half as Fulham gifted them far too much room in the middle of the park. Everton found no great difficulty in getting past the London side's midfield but struggled to break through the solid white defence and create trouble for Mark Schwarzer.

The Cottagers' defence put in a solid performance and kept Everton at bay for the most part of the game, but it was a defensive slip up which led to the opening goal when Carlos Salcido failed to pick up Coleman on the back post and the Irishman had all the time in the world to pick his spot and head Leon Osman's perfectly weighted cross into the net.

The visitors' midfield was very poor; Dickson Etuhu offered nothing going forward and despite Clint Dempsey's well taken goal, he did not create enough chances for the two front men. Damien Duff was rather sluggish when running at the Everton wing-backs and although Danny Murphy played well in the second-half, he could be blamed for creating a gap in the wall when closing down Saha after the free-kick which led directly to the Blues' second goal. In addition, the former Liverpool man was never on the same frequency as strikers Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele.

Fulham have clearly been missing the pace and intelligent runs of Bobby Zamora up front as was proven immediately after the former West Ham United striker's introduction to the game, as he played a key role in the away side's goal, bringing the ball under control and setting up Dempsey, all with one perfect touch.

Tim Cahill looked rather tired when leaving the field but had a good game upon his return from injury; his pace and skill created a few problems for the Fulham centre-backs Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes and with the removal of Cahill went the sting of the Everton attacks. The Australian was swapped for defender John Heitinga and for the remaining 20 minutes Everton sat back and tried to hold on to their lead. Without midfield maestro Mikel Arteta, Everton had to rely on Phil Neville to pull the strings. The former Man Utd defender made some key passes from the centre of the park and overall his performance was very good, especially considering he was played out of position.

The game was fast moving and very entertaining for the neutral with three cracking goals and some lovely passing moves from both sides. Everton and Fulham played well and although the Toffees failed to kill the game off, they will walk away the happier side with the three desired points and a place in the top eight.

[White Noise]

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_2_6847_hughes'-talk-of-european-football-for-fulham-premature.html



Hughes' talk of European football for Fulham premature

By Matt Domm


Sunday 20 March 2011


Mark Hughes' recent comments regarding his aims for more European football with Fulham - with the FIFA Fair Play league being the best chance, despite holding an outside chance of a qualifying league finish - appear, at least on Saturday's evidence, quite a way off in reality.

The Welshman believes he can achieve more with the Cottagers than he did whilst at Blackburn Rovers, having inherited a stronger squad, although looking at the performance at Goodison Park his team are far from consistent enough to be considered regular top-10 finishers. As a manager, positive thinking should not be discouraged, but with his side still plenty of points away from safety, all efforts should arguably be focused on keeping the team a safe distance from the relegation spots.

A handful of away wins during a campaign is a must for a team to end the season in the European spots. Qualification through fair play is all well and good, but to win away, especially in game such as yesterday's where the home team is less than impressive, often robustness in the midfield and attack is required. Against Everton, the Whites were sluggish and lightweight throughout - at least until Bobby Zamora's introduction - and were never likely to get anything from the game.

Hughes' Blackburn side were swift, direct and powerful going forward, both home and away, with a hard-working midfield and skilful wide men. Hughes' claim to have inherited a stronger squad is questionable after yesterday's away performance, and indeed many before that. Enough areas require strengthening to make regular high Premier League finishes unlikely without additions and replacements to the squad.

Teams who challenge for the European places generally have a combative and creative midfield, particularly in the centre. Without Steve Sidwell, who has shown tenacity since joining in January, Fulham's has lost all its robustness. Dickson Etuhu, for a man with such a surface area, has the tendency to avoid the physical work - particularly in comparison to Sidwell - and lacks the passing vision or ability of the former Aston Villa man. Against Everton, the central attacking responsibility was on Danny Murphy while Etuhu was largely a bystander, as opposed to when Sidwell chips in attacking-wise too. Murphy cannot and should not be expected to perform the job of two men every game, and the lack of depth in the other midfield slot looks a concern.

Further forward, Clint Dempsey does not mind getting stuck in, but he lacks the strength of Zamora, and alongside Andy Johnson the partnership will not overcome solid home defences. Similarly, Moussa Dembele is not a foil for the small front-man. Johnson, for all his running and energy, is unlikely to win a duel against a tough centre-back and therefore needs a Zamora to play off to be most effective. If Hughes, looking forward, intends to use a sole striker with a fluid three in behind, which is an option, Johnson might begin to struggle for a look in.

While Fulham should have enough about them to survive this year, without changes to a team that has not taken well enough to Hughes' style of football any talk of consistent top-half finishes appears somewhat hopeful.