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Monday Fulham Stuff - 15/02/21...

Started by WhiteJC, February 15, 2021, 08:44:33 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

Results


Sunday
Southampton
1-2
Wolves
West Brom
1-1
Man City
Arsenal
4-2
Leeds
Everton
0-2
Fulham

WhiteJC

Everton 0-2 Fulham


Josh Maja scored with his first shot on target for Fulham

Josh Maja said he saw a dream become reality as he marked his full debut with a brace to help Fulham boost their Premier League survival hopes with a deserved win at Everton.

The visitors were by far the better side in the first half but were left frustrated as they missed several opportunities to score, with Bobby Decordova-Reid hitting the post and Harrison Reed driving over.

But their dominance was rewarded early in the second half when Maja - a deadline day signing on loan from Bordeaux - slid in to turn home Ola Aina's cross from close range.

Maja, 22, then capped a superb debut with a second, tapping in after Reed's shot had hit the woodwork.

The former Sunderland striker said: "This is a night I have been dreaming about for a long time. I had a feeling it was coming and pleased it became a reality.

"We took our chances when it came and put in another good performance again, we want to continue like this."

Everton were poor throughout and although Seamus Coleman clipped the outside of the post in the first half, they rarely looked like scoring.

Joshua King did have the ball in the back of the net late on but it was ruled out for offside.

There is still plenty of work to do for Fulham to escape the drop, with this victory cutting the deficit to safety to seven points, but it will significantly boost their hopes they they can fight their way out of trouble.

Defeat for Everton, meanwhile, means they remain seventh on 37 points.

Maja provides spark Fulham have missed
This was a much-needed win for a Fulham side that has often been competitive in games this season but a failure to convert chances into goals has meant they have rarely got the rewards their performances have warranted.

They had 20 shots on goal at West Ham last time out but only two of those were on target as they had to settle for a frustrating draw, and it looked like that pattern would continue in this game as they squandered numerous chances in the first half.

But with Aleksandar Mitrovic having struggled for goals this season, Fulham have missed a clinical striker who can finish off the many chances they create - but this performances suggests Maja could be that man.

Neither of the former Sunderland striker's goals were fantastic strikes but crucially he was in the right place at the right time to put the ball in the back of the net.

Maja's impact and this result could provide the spark Fulham have needed to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

"Today it has been the difference," said Fulham boss Scott Parker, when asked about his side finding the back of the net.

"I constantly say to this team, you cannot keep creating the chances and that is a good marker to keep belief.

"We have been on the wrong side of fine margins but in and around the six-yard box we have sniffed out chances and got a big win."

Toffees come unstuck at home again

Everton have now lost three of their last four games at home in the Premier League

Everton are enjoying one of their best Premier League seasons, having taken 37 points from 22 games to sit seventh and just three points off the top four.

Despite that, performances like this one highlight a frustrating issue the Toffees appear to have on home soil.

Only four of their 11 league victories have come at Goodison Park, where they have not won in the Premier League since 19 December, and this was another flat performance by Carlo Ancelotti's side.

This was a far cry from their scintillating display in the 5-4 FA Cup fifth-round win against Tottenham in midweek as they sorely missed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.

They did not manage a single shot on target in the first half and only two in the second half, but both of those efforts - from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Michael Keane respectively - came when they were already 2-0 down.

This was a real opportunity for Everton to underline their credentials as top-four contenders but they came up disappointingly short.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti to BBC Sport: "[We struggled with] the physical aspect [after the 5-4 midweek win over Spurs].

"Practically we were not able to play as we wanted. We wanted to have a good control of the game, putting more midfielders on the pitch, but they press a lot and we could not play as we want."

A first for Fulham - the stats
    Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League games at Goodison Park (D1), as many defeats as they suffered in Carlo Ancelotti's first 17 home games in charge in the competition (W8 D6).
    Fulham picked up their first ever away win at Everton in league competition, on what was their 28th attempt. Coming into Sunday evening's game, they had lost each of their last 22 away league games against the Toffees.
    Everton have only kept one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League games at Goodison Park, with that coming against Chelsea back on 12 December of last year (1-0).
    Fulham picked up their first Premier League victory since November 2020 versus Leicester (2-1), ending a run of 12 games without a win in the competition (D8 L4).
    Everton have lost five of their last seven Premier League home games against newly-promoted teams (W1 D1), including each of the last two - 0-1 v Leeds United last November and 0-2 v Fulham on Sunday night.
    Aged 22 years and 49 days, Josh Maja is the second-youngest player to score on his first Premier League start for Fulham, after Collins John v Blackburn in April 2004 (18 years and 178 days).
    Fulham striker Josh Maja is just the second Nigerian player to score a brace on his first Premier League start, following Efan Ekoku for Norwich City back in May 1993 (v Middlesbrough).
    Everton's first shot on target of the game came in the 76th minute through Gylfi Sigurdsson - indeed, their total of seven shots was their joint-fewest in a Premier League home game under Carlo Ancelotti (also seven v Man Utd in November and Leicester in July 2020).

What next?
Everton host Premier League leaders Manchester City on Wednesday (20:15 GMT) while Fulham travel to Burnley earlier the same day (18:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55967798

WhiteJC

Parker's Post-Everton press conference

Scott Parker saluted an immense performance from his team that ended a 12-game Premier League run without a win.

He witnessed a Fulham outfit that converted performance into three points in a result that had been on the cards. It also notched up a first ever victory at Goodison Park.

"For large parts, the performance you see tonight and the way we played has happened over the course of the last 15 games," he said. "The difference is we managed to score a couple of goals and win the game.

"That's always given me belief the fact we've been in games. We've won the game and overall, I thought we were fantastic from start to finish. Coming to a very good Everton side who have done well for large parts. We had to defend a little bit for the last 15 and show another side to us. I'm very pleased."

Josh Maja was handed his first start in the Premier League and he repaid that faith with a debut brace.

"Josh Maja was fantastic tonight in terms of scoring two goals," he continued. "The first move was brilliant, a nice bit of movement in the box and he's there to tap one in. The second goal was a real striker's instinct goal – off the post and he's there.

"It's been well documented that we've missed some big chances. When I analyse our performances, we're creating chances.

"The numbers are there on production, the fine margins are we haven't been clinical - tonight we were. It's a big boost for the team and nothing short of what they deserve."

The result sets up a huge confidence boost with a run of Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace on the horizon.

"We've got some big games coming up. The remaining games are massive. I don't concentrate on what teams are doing around us.

"Our focus is to come in every day and improve. We worry about ourselves, we've drawn a lot of games but we're very competitive, we're giving ourselves a chance staying in these games."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/february/Parker-s-Post-Everton-press conference/


WhiteJC


Everton 0-2 Fulham Instant Reaction - Terrible Toffees well beaten

We have seen this before..

If you thought Everton were bad against West Ham and Newcastle, that was nothing compared to the performance they turned out against Fulham.

The Toffees saved arguably their worst display of the season so far for the visit of the Cottagers, with two goals from Josh Maja securing their first ever league win at Goodison Park.

It meant they missed the chance to go fifth in the table and go level on points with Liverpool, bringing everyone down to earth with an uncomfortable bump.

There can be no complaints with the result, Fulham were thoroughly deserving of the win and perhaps should have won by more.

The frustrating thing is this performance was not a surprise, we have seen it a worrying number of times this season. Everton's continued struggles against so-called 'lesser' sides is going to cost them big time in the final shake up.

Carlo once again shuffled his pack, with Yerry Mina and Michael Keane rested with Ben Godfrey alongside Mason Holgate in defence. Richarlison, as expected moved to a central striking role in the absence of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Everton started off poorly and survived an early scare when Robin Olsen's poor punch from a free-kick was volleyed over by JoshMaja.

The Toffees looked vulnerable from set pieces against Spurs in midweek and they did so again here. A Fulham corner from their left was flicked on by Bobby Cordova-Reid and the ball hit the post. A scramble in the box then saw Ola Aina's shot on the rebound blocked before Joachim Anderson's effort was deflected over.

The Cottagers were well on top by this stage and were knocking the ball around nicely, though they were also helped by some sloppy passing from Everton, who kept giving the ball away in dangerous areas.

Another neat flick from Cordova-Reid found Harrison Reed who drilled a shot wide from distance.

Former Evertonian Ademola Lookman then scuffed shot wide in great position inside the area after another sloppy pass.

You can imagine what the Gwladys Street would have been shouting had the fans been in the stadium.

The Toffees belatedly woke up when James' searching pass found Andre Gomes, but his shot from distance was well wide.

Seamus Coleman then went on a marauding run and with space opening up in front of him, hit a low left-foot shot that hit the outside of the post.

Better, but still far from good enough.

It got worse three minutes into the second half. Everton cut to ribbons down their right as Aina's driven cross was slid home by debutant Maja for his first Cottagers goal.

It was the least they deserved as Everton had been absolutely rotten.

Carlo made a double change, with Coleman and Tom Davies replaced by Josh King and Michael Keane.

It didn't reap instant dividends as another sloppy pass created a chance for Lookman, who curled over from the edge of the box.

Minutes later, it was two.

Reed's shot from the edge of the box was tipped onto the post by Olsen and, with the rest of the Everton defence sleeping, Maja was all alone and able to tap home the rebound.

Everton were all over the place making Reed look like a modern-day Iniesta.

It took until the 76th minute to even have a shot on target, a Gylfi Sigurdsson effort from a half-cleared corner hit into the ground that was comfortably saved by Alphonse Areola.

King thought he had got Everton back into the game when he converted Gomes' cross, but he had strayed a yard offside.

Keane had a header straight at Areola late on. But to be honest I'd given up by then, they could have played all night and not scored, it was that bad.

Everton's failure to see off teams like this has become a serious problem and could cost them a European place. It has certainly cost them any hope of trying to qualify for the Champions League.

Maybe the presence of Manchester City and Liverpool in the next week is just what they need...



https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2021/2/14/22283023/everton-0-2-fulham-instant-reaction-josh-maja-ademlola-lookman-james-rodriguez-richarlison-josh-king

WhiteJC

Josh Maja off the mark for Fulham as brace on first start sinks Everton

Fulham claimed a first ever away league win against Everton by beating their opponents 2-0 at Goodison Park.

After a quiet first half, a brace from Josh Maja on his first start for Fulham was enough to seal the win after the break.

Everton thought they had pulled one back via Josh King, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The win moved the third-bottom Cottagers to within seven points of Newcastle in 17th and offered them some hope of an escape if Maja, whose two goals incredibly moved him to joint-fourth on Fulham's leading league scorers list this season, can reproduce this form on a more regular basis.

They will not find many opponents as passive as Everton, however, who blew the chance to strike a huge psychological blow for the forthcoming Merseyside derby.

Four points from this match and Manchester City on Wednesday would have put them above their rivals across Stanley Park ahead of Saturday's short trip to Anfield.

But Everton were toothless without injured top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and also lacked the necessary competitiveness to make Fulham's first league win at Goodison Park in 28 attempts anything other than comfortable.

Bobby Decordova-Reid's cheeky backheel from a corner looping over a crowded six-yard area and onto a post set the early tone and was followed by Harrison Reed driving just wide of the angle of post and crossbar and former Everton winger Ademola Lookman somehow shooting wide having cut in from the left.

Everton's best chance came from full-back Seamus Coleman, who ran unchallenged from the halfway line to strike a post with a left-footed shot from outside the area in the 34th minute.

By then Richarlison had taken the last of his four touches of the half as even a move to a more central role did not improve his fortunes.

Fulham start second half well

While Fulham failed to take advantage of having the better of the opening 45 minutes, they did not need long to rectify that after the break.

Within five minutes of the restart Ola Aina burst forward from left-back to cross for the unmarked Maja to slide home his first Premier League goal on only his second appearance.

The same combination almost added a second but for the outstretched foot of Mason Holgate and that prompted a change of personnel and formation.

Coleman and midfielder Tom Davies made way for Michael Keane – with Holgate moving to right-back – and King as manager Carlo Ancelotti made his second formation switch of the game by going to 4-4-2.

After Bordeaux loanee Maja had made it 2-0 in the 65th minute, King was denied a debut goal by an offside flag but there was little else to trouble the visitors' defence as Everton slipped to a third home defeat in four matches.

It was also the first time Ancelotti had failed to win in four home league games since December 2007 and next up are the in-form City.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/josh-maja-brace-sinks-everton-fulham-win

WhiteJC

Maja's double secures historic Fulham win at Everton
Striker's close-range brace seals Fulham's first Premier League victory at Goodison Park

Josh Maja scored twice on his first start for Fulham as his side ended their Goodison Park hoodoo with a 2-0 victory, ending a run of 14 consecutive Premier League defeats at Everton.

Scott Parker's side started brightly and Bobby De Cordova-Reid's flick on from a corner on nine minutes hit the post before Harrison Reed's drive flew fractionally wide.

Everton responded, however, and were denied the opening goal on 34 minutes when Seamus Coleman's 25-yard strike hit the outside of the post.

Fulham took the lead on 48 minutes. Ola Aina played a one-two with Ademola Lookman and put an inch-perfect pass across the six-yard box where Maja slid the ball home from two yards.

Maja doubled Fulham's lead to make the points safe, tapping the loose ball past Robin Olsen after Reed's 68th-minute shot smacked the post.

Fulham remain in 18th place but their first Premier League win at Goodison Park means they have closed the gap on Newcastle to seven points.

Everton remain seventh with 37 points.

See: Everton report | Fulham report
Next fixtures

Everton: 17 Feb v Man City (H)
Fulham: 17 Feb v Burnley (A)
Match officials

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Beck. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: Kevin Friend. Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart.



https://www.premierleague.com/match/59130


WhiteJC

Maja the hero as Fulham boost survival hopes with win at Everton

Josh Maja's brace – his first goals for Fulham – gave them a superb away win and raised hopes they might yet escape relegation.

Recent signing Maja, making his full Premier League debut, opened the scoring four minutes into the second half.

Ola Aina burst down the left and exchanged passes with Ademola Lookman before laying the ball across for striker Maja to score from close range.

And Maja was on hand for another tap-in on 65 minutes, following up after Harrison Reed's shot had hit the post.

The result – Fulham's first-ever league win at Everton – cut the gap between the third-from-bottom Whites and Newcastle, the team above them, to seven points. The Magpies play Chelsea on Monday evening.

Fulham produced an excellent performance at Goodison Park, where they were by far the better team and almost took an early lead when Lookman's left-wing corner was flicked against the far post by Bobby Decordova-Reid.

The rebound dropped to Aina, who was unable to force the ball home.

Lookman, playing against his former club, and Reed both fired narrowly wide as Fulham continued to dominate.

Everton themselves hit the woodwork when Seamus Coleman strode forward just after the half-hour mark and saw a left-footed effort bounce off the post.

That was a rare attack from the home side, who were on the back foot for most of the game.

Fulham have dropped crucial points this season after failing to find the net despite some excellent play.

It seemed like an all-too familiar story was unfolding when they went in at the interval goalless after controlling most of the first half.

But in Maja, their loan signing from Bordeaux, they might have found the poacher they have so desperately needed.

He worked tirelessly up front and his predatory instincts delivered three priceless points.

Fulham: Areola, Tete, Andersen, Adarabiayo, Aina, Lemina (Onomah 90), Reed, Loftus-Cheek, Reid, Maja (Cavaleiro 72), Lookman (Anguissa).
Subs not used: Rodak, Hector, Odoi, Ream, Kongolo, Robinson,



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/everton-v-fulham-maja-brace-1402211

WhiteJC

Magical Maja Nets Brace On Full Premier League Debut As Fulham Win Away At Everton

Josh Maja was the star of the show as Fulham ended their 12-game winless run in the Premier League by beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The Bordeaux loanee was outstanding tonight, bagging a brace on his full Premier League debut.

Maja was one of four Nigerian players that started the game for the Cottagers, the others being Tosin Adarabioyo, Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman, while Everton's Alex Iwobi was a non-playing substitute.

Following a goalless first half, two Super Eagles stars combined for the opening goal in the 48th minute as Maja tapped in after a cross from Ola Aina who was deployed as a left-back.

In the 65th minute, Fulham deservedly doubled their advantage through Maja, who tapped in after Harrison Reed's effort from range hit the woodwork and fell to the number 27.

The move started with Maja and he did all what good strikers do, anticipate where the ball was going to fall and reacted quickest.

The Super Eagles striker would have fancied a hat-trick but was replaced in the 72nd minute, 18 minutes before 2017 U20 World Cup winner Josh Onomah came on for Scott Parker's team.

Fulham are now seven points from safety following their  first away win against Everton in the Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=38961

WhiteJC

Josh Maja pounces as Fulham punish lacklustre Everton to glimpse safety


Fulham's Josh Maja scores his side's second goal. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/AP

There remains a gulf between Fulham and Premier League safety but Scott Parker's side will feel nothing is beyond them after recording a historic victory at Everton.

Fulham had never won a league game at Goodison Park, not taken even a point here since 1959, but two goals from full debutant Josh Maja injected belief as well as three vital points into their fight for survival. Parker must hope this represents a turning point in Fulham's season, and not only on account of a first win in 13 Premier League games.

His team dominated throughout, played with style and purpose, and never gave Everton hope of a win that would have taken them level on points with Liverpool in fourth. It is three defeats in four home league games now for an Everton team that drops in attitude and application whenever expectation is upon them.

The longest winning run in top-flight history, a 22-game sequence dating back to 1961, was comfortably dismantled.

"We were fantastic from start to finish," Parker said. "It's well documented that we've missed big chances this season, but the constant belief I get when analysing our performances comes from the big chances we are creating. We have just not been clinical enough. Tonight we were and it was nothing short of what we deserved. This is big."

Fulham were in control from the opening whistle and for all the failings in the Everton performance, and there were many, it was their relentless pressing that made life difficult for Carlo Ancelotti's side. "We couldn't manage the difficulties," said Ancelotti after his 50th game as Everton manager. "It was a high-intensity game and we were tired after playing two hours on Wednesday and the pressure they put on our centre-halves we didn't deal with."

Parker's attacking options took another hit before kick-off when Aleksandar Mitrovic tested positive for Covid-19. Maja, currently on loan from Bordeaux, made his first start in place of the Serbia international with Bobby Decordova-Reid floating to menacing effect behind him. Their work rate and movement amply compensated for Mitrovic's absence. Everton were kept on the back foot throughout the first half by Fulham's energy and sharp, incisive passing.

The visitors should have edged ahead when Decordova-Reid flicked on Ademola Lookman's corner at the near post. His back-heel struck the far post with Robin Olsen rooted but both Ola Aina and Joachim Andersen failed to convert inviting rebounds. Harrison Reed was outstanding in the Fulham midfield, closing down options to Everton's attack and supporting his forwards, and he went close from the edge of the area after more good work from Decordova-Reid and Lookman.

The former Everton winger was next to threaten his old club after a slick exchanges of passes with Decordova-Reid. Lookman cut inside Séamus Coleman and Ben Godfrey but dragged his shot wide of the near post.

By this point Everton had not managed one attempt on Fulham's goal. Perhaps swayed by the success of a similar system at Wolves, Ancelotti opted to start with Gylfi Sigurdsson in attack in the absence of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Richarlison offered the promise of pace from the left, James Rodríguez ingenuity from the right, but it was a strange selection with the deadline-day signing Josh King available and Everton needing fresh legs after their FA Cup exertions against Tottenham on Wednesday.

All three were anonymous and it was no surprise when Richarlison was switched to centre-forward shortly before half-time.

Coleman struck a post with Everton's first genuine threat of note but it was a fleeting moment of promise from the home side.

Fulham took a deserved lead moments after the restart when Aina and Lookman prised open Everton's right flank with ease. The left-back muscled his way past Abdoulaye Doucouré, no simple feat, before playing a one-two with Lookman that took Coleman out of the equation. From the byline, Aina drilled his cross behind Godfrey and Mason Holgate to give Maja a gift of a first Fulham goal from close range.

The Nigeria international did not have to wait long for his second Fulham goal. It again arrived from their left flank, Lookman sizing up his options before picking out Reed unmarked in the centre. The midfielder swept a powerful shot from 25 yards that was tipped on to a post by the Everton goalkeeper, but the rebound fell perfectly for Maja to score into an unguarded net.

"We are a confident team," Parker added. "And the games we have coming up now are massive."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/14/everton-fulham-premier-league-match-report


WhiteJC

Everton vs Fulham player ratings as Josh Maja goals allow Cottagers to dream

Scott Parker's side came away with three points for the first time since November

Alphonse Areola

The Frenchman showed some less than convincing passing early doors and wasn't troubled in the first half. Produced a very confident punch in the second period and didn't make his first save until after the 70th minute. 6.

Kenny Tete

Ensured that Lucas Digne was in for a battle every time he entered the Fulham half. Great defending in the second period to win the ball from Josh King who was almost through. 7.

Joachim Andersen

Another composed performance from the Dane and was rarely under pressure. 6.

Tosin Adarabioyo

Looked comfortable and composed without a recognised forward to battle. 7.

Ola Aina

Brilliant in the build up to Fulham's goal as he exchanged passes with Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Ademola Lookman before entering the Everton box and playing a lovely ball for Josh Maja to convert. 8.

Harrison Reed

Continues to look more comfortable at Premier League level and showed his passing ability alongside his tenacity. Afforded space by the Toffees and ran the show. 8.

Mario Lemina

Partnered well with Reed once again and continually wanted the ball to start Fulham's attacking play. 7.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Again looked bright until the final moment of cutting edge. The Chelsea loannee certainly has become more involved as he has been given more freedom to attack and even appears to win the ball higher up the pitch but that perhaps only makes his output more frustrating. 6.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid

Seemed to have a free role to play near Josh Maja but covered plenty of ground and appeared to really enjoy himself. 7.

Ademola Lookman

Looked impressive on the ball but tended to hold it too long or produce a wayward shot in the first period. Looked lively in build up play and had a better connection with Aina in the second half. 7.

Josh Maja

Couldn't navigate his first opportunity and looked to be feeling his way into the team still. Second half... goals. The forward put himself in the right place at the right time and produced two close finishes. 9.

Substitutes

van Cavaleiro - Limited impact after entering the pitch as Fulham saw out the match. 5.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - Not too much time to make an impact but defended admirably in the box. 5.

Josh Onomah - Had three minutes after replace a Lemina who was struggling with cramp.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/everton-vs-fulham-player-ratings-19838404

WhiteJC

Maja magic ends Fulham's miserable Merseyside run

Fulham's barren run on the blue half of Merseyside has been the subject of some mockery for much of the past half century. The Londoners had never won a league fixture at Goodison Park before this evening but Scott Parker's side rediscovered the winning habit – after a twelve-match winless run – just in time to breathe new life into their survival hopes. Just as encouragingly, the missing predatory instinct was supplied by new signing Josh Maja, whose brace accurately reflected Fulham's complete dominance over a below-par Everton.

Maja's second spell at Fulham, for whom he enjoyed a brief period of goalscoring as a teenage member of the Motspur Park academy, began with an encouraging cameo off the bench against West Ham last weekend. Borrowed from Bordeaux for the remainder of the season, the powerful striker was handed a first senior start for the club after Aleksandar Mitrovic tested positive for coronavirus and he added pace and power up front from the outset. Fulham bossed the first half with a combination of pretty passing and incisive attacking, but Maja provided the ruthlessness in the final third that the visitors have been lacking all season.

The Lewisham-born striker slid at the far post to finish off a flowing move down the left flank and nudge the Whites ahead three minutes after the interval. Ex-Everton winger Ademola Lookman, lively on his return to Goodison Park, swapped smart passes with Ola Aina and the full back's low cross was turned in on the stretch by Maja inside the six-yard box. With Fulham's fragility at the back – and the fact that Parker's side had lost eleven points from winning positions – you felt a second goal was necessary to secure an elusive win. It arrived when Harrison Reed, who had roamed across the field imperiously all evening, rattled the near post with a low drive from 20 yards and Maja, anticipating a rebound, followed up to finish from close range.

The three points were no less than Fulham deserved. They had attacked with purpose from the off, pressing an Everton side, who might have been feeling the after effects of the midweek Cup epic against Tottenham and sorely missed the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front. Parker's men pressed high from the outset but there was a verve and intensity about their passing and a desire to inflict some serious blows on Carlo Ancelotti's high-fliers. Reed's lovely floated ball released Ruben Loftus-Cheek, whose rather casual shot was too close to Robin Olsen, and a contentious offside flag might have been reversed.

The away side also showed a threat from set plays. Maja spooned over the bar at the far post having been surprised when Olsen flapped at a corner and Bobby Decordova-Reid's improvised flick came back off the far post before Aina had a volley blocked. Loftus-Cheek's low centre flashed across goal before Decordova-Reid fed Reed and the energetic midfielder drove fractionally wide of the far post with an instinctive drive from the edge of the box. Decordova-Reid and Lookman then somehow outfoxed three Everton defenders in the box before the latter's miscued drive dribbled the wrong side of the near post.

Ancelotti had lined up with an abundance of artists in his starting line-up but the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and James Rodriguez didn't get the ball in areas where they could hurt Fulham. Indeed, Everton's only opening of the first half arrived courtesy of the energy of Seamus Coleman, who robbed Reed of possession on the half way and drove to the edge of the box before an optimistic left-footed strike from just outside the box glanced off the outside of the near post.

You sensed that the home side couldn't possibly be as toothless in the second period, but Maja's pair of poacher's goal rendered any hopes of a home revival pretty redundant. Fulham could have had further goals – Lookman lofted high and over bar after a clever interchange with Loftus-Cheek and another devilish cross from Aina narrowly eluded Loftus-Cheek at the back post after Maja had cleverly dummied it.

The visitors held on their lead with a relish that Parker would have appreciated. The impish intelligence of Reed and Mario Lemina dominated the midfield with a real reassurance and held onto possession with composure and confidence, whilst Joachim Andersen and Tosin Adarabioyo headed high balls away all night long. Alphonse Areola was a virtual spectator until he fielded Sigurdsson's speculative shot from outside the area after 76 minutes and when he was beaten by substitute Josh King late on, the offside flag came to Fulham's rescue.

Parker spoke persuasively after the final whistle about the belief and character within his side. He has always insisted that Fulham were not dead and buried at the foot of the table and, with key clashes against Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace to come in the next couple of weeks, they have a real chance to prove everybody wrong and conjure up another great escape.

EVERTON (4-3-3): Olsen; Digne, Coleman (Keane 56), Holgate, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies (King 56), Gomes; Rodriguez (Bernard 68), Sigurdsson, Richarlison. Subs (not used): Virgínia, Allan, Mina, Nkonkou, Onyango, Iwobi.

BOOKED: Keane.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Reed, Lemina (Onomah 91); Decordova-Reid, Lookman (Anguissa 83), Loftus-Cheek, Maja (Cavaleiro 73). Subs (not used): Rodak, Hector, Ream, Odoi, Kongolo, Robinson.

BOOKED: Onomah.

GOALS: Maja (48, 65).

REFEREE: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/maja-magic-ends-fulhams-miserable-merseyside-run/

WhiteJC

Everton 0-2 Fulham: Josh Maja brace stuns Toffees to boost Scott Parker's Premier League survival hopes



On-loan striker Josh Maja scored twice on his full Premier League debut as Fulham recorded a first league win at Everton in their history, with a deserved 2-0 victory ending a 12-match run without a win.

The 22-year-old former Sunderland man scored two typical poacher's goals from close range.

It moved the third-bottom Cottagers to within seven points of Newcastle in 17th and offered them some hope of an escape if Maja, whose two goals incredibly moved him to joint-fourth on Fulham's leading league scorers list this season, can reproduce this form on a more regular basis.

They will not find many opponents as passive as Everton, however, who blew the chance to strike a huge psychological blow for the forthcoming Merseyside derby.

Four points from this match and Manchester City on Wednesday would have put them above their rivals across Stanley Park ahead of Saturday's short trip to Anfield.

But Everton were toothless without injured top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and also lacked the necessary competitiveness to make Fulham's first league win at Goodison Park in 28 attempts anything other than comfortable.

Bobby Decordova-Reid's cheeky backheel from a corner looping over a crowded six-yard area and onto a post set the early tone and was followed by Harrison Reed driving just wide of the angle of post and crossbar and former Everton winger Ademola Lookman somehow shooting wide having cut in from the left.

Everton's best chance came from full-back Seamus Coleman, who ran unchallenged from the halfway line to strike a post with a left-footed shot from outside the area in the 34th minute.

By then Richarlison had taken the last of his four touches of the half as even a move to a more central role did not improve his fortunes.

While Fulham failed to take advantage of having the better of the opening 45 minutes they did not need long to rectify that after the break.

Within five minutes of the restart Ola Aina burst forward from left-back to cross for the unmarked Maja to slide home his first Premier League goal on only his second appearance.

The same combination almost added a second but for the outstretched foot of Mason Holgate and that prompted a change of personnel and formation.

Coleman and midfielder Tom Davies made way for Michael Keane - with Holgate moving to right-back - and Josh King as manager Carlo Ancelotti made his second formation switch of the game by going to 4-4-2.

Maja struck again, though, when goalkeeper Robin Olsen tipped Reed's shot on to a post and he anticipated well to tap home.



King was denied a debut goal by an offside flag but there was little else to trouble the visitors' defence as Everton slipped to a third home defeat in four matches.

It was also the first time Ancelotti had failed to win in four home league games since December 2007 and next up are the in-form City.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/everton-vs-fulham-result-josh-maja-premier-league-b919778.html


WhiteJC

Newcastle relegation fight tightens as Fulham pull off unexpected win

Newcastle head into their game against Chelsea with the gap cut to seven points

Fulham clawed back three points in the Premier League survival battle to pile the pressure on Newcastle's Monday night trip to Chelsea.

Two goals from former Sunderland striker Josh Maja handed the Cottagers an unexpected win at Everton - and send them into a trio of winnable games on a high.

Fulham face Burnley (away), Sheffield United (home) and Crystal Palace (away) next. United have Chelsea on Monday night before a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United and then a home game against Wolves.

Newcastle retain their seven point advantage on a team who have only won three matches all season but there will be nerves among the United fanbase with the team missing top scorer Callum Wilson and defenders Fabian Schar and Javier Manquillo.

Newcastle have won two of the last three and performances have been much better of late.

Of course United take on Fulham on the final day of the season - but Newcastle will be hoping it won't be critical by then.

Bruce has pledged to continue attacking: "I don't think the approach is going to be any different. We've decided this is the way forward for us, so we'll keep the same thing we've been trying to achieve."

Newcastle will be without Wilson but Bruce hopes others can 'step up'.

He said: "Let's hope we can cope with it, let's hope somebody can step up to the mark. We have certainly got players who are capable, let's hope they can grasp it.

"It's the one thing we can't change, it is what it is and we have to have somebody now who can step up.

"They will be hard shoes to fill because of the impact Callum has had. To have 10 goals in a team which is halfway in the bottom half of the division is a wonderful return."



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-relegation-fight-tightens-fulham-19838718

WhiteJC

Scott Parker insists Fulham can beat the drop after ending winless run

Scott Parker insisted that a great escape could be on the cards for Fulham after they claimed a surprise 2-0 win away at Everton.

Fulham had never previously won at Goodison Park in a league game, but finally got a victory to savour thanks to two goals from January loan signing Josh Maja.

The result leaves Fulham seven points from safety with 15 games to go. The gap may seem large at present, but if they can produce performances like that more regularly, there is plenty of time for them to ask questions of the teams above them.

Fulham had gone 12 games without a win in the league before facing Everton. However, Parker was confident his team were making improvements, and that reached fruition at Goodison.

He told BBC Sport: "It has been coming, for sure. The difference is that we win the game by putting the ball in the net.

"People may be seeing that it turns but for the large part in the last 15 games we have been consistent. We were brilliant, superb in everything we did in defence and attack. I don't think we deserved anything less to be honest.

"Today it (goals) has been the difference. I constantly say to this team, you cannot keep creating the chances and that is a good marker to keep belief. We have been on the wrong side of fine margins but in and around the six yard box we have sniffed out chances and got a big win.

"Hopefully (the great escape can happen). That is how we go about our work. We have been drawing too many games and we need to be winning them. We now go into two massive games and onto the rest of the season."

Parker has 'full belief' in Fulham

Parker continued: "I have got full belief in this team, I honestly have.

"People judge performances on wins and losses, I have a different view because I see it everyday and have to be more rational looking at my team. It gives me constant belief.

"I know what we need to do and the players do too. We can't control what is around us, we just need to go out and win football matches. If we do that I know it will be OK.

"They said our record here was not great but it is irrelevant to me and I am happy to get the win."



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/scott-parker-fulham-relegation-safety-claim

WhiteJC

Josh Maja scouting report as Fulham shock Everton thanks to classy start from ex-Sunderland star

The forward provided a present the Whites have missed

0-10 minutes

Lots of pressing from the forward, particularly towards Mason Holgate.

Big albeit difficult chance as Robin Olsen's push of the ball went directly to him but was caught flat-footed and looped his shot over the bar.

Seemed to exchange positions with Bobby De Cordova-Reid at times and joined in with some good pressing on the left with Ademola Lookman.

15-30 minutes

Helped start a nice move by finding Cordova-Reid, who in turn found Ademola Lookman on the left side of the box. Looked slightly frustrated that the winger paused on the ball rather than playing it into the box.

In the 27th minute the youngster found some space and faced xx one on one, and took a confident touch before a poor ball. Was flagged offside.

30-45 minutes

Finally received a ball into the box but was crowded by three Everton bodies as he looked to bring it down.

Was part of the defensive efforts when Everton had a free kick in a good position. Ensured he was the first and fastest to press as the ball went back to the Everton backline.

Started to line up with De Cordova-Reid and Lookman. Played a lovely first time pass to the former from a throw in. Saw the loanee drop really deep for the first time to find the ball but couldn't keep control of the ball.

45-60 minutes

Moves off the bck of Mason Holgate to slide in at the six-yard box to convert Ola Aina's cross. Confidence rose from that moment.

Seemed to have a similar opportunity provided by Harrison Reed but left the ball.

60-75 minutes

Showed impressive strength under pressure from Gylfi Sigurddson before laying the ball off and eventually finding his way to complete the move with another close-range finish for his second goal.

Verdict

Scott Parker summed it up well.

"The difference was today we put the ball in the net."

That difference was Josh Maja. It wasn't spellbinding but the young forward certainly has started stealing the hearts of Whites supporters.

In the first period, it looked like a typical Fulham display with some good build up play but with little in impactful attacks on goal. The 22-year-old often appeared to want the ball earlier than he was provided with it and produced some juttering, unconvincing runs, hoping from the ball.

That is not to say he was playing badly, just it was clear some time to gel is needed.

What Maja made clear is that he still had an instinct for finding the goal. The Whites first showed some beautiful build up through Ola Aina followed by a low cross into the box, that was a trademark of the Slavisa Jokanovic era. What was reassuring in this movement was having a forward deep in the opposition box, drawing away from a defender to provide the simple finish.

Parker described a 'striker's instinct' to follow the ball in from Harrison Reed's shot. It's exactly what Fulham have missed and allowed the Cottagers to have a presence further up the pitch.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/josh-maja-goal-everton-fulham-19838389


WhiteJC

Verdict: Maja delivers for Fulham as Parker gets it spot on

Fulham were 27 games without a league win at Everton. What a time to get that first-ever success at Goodison Park.

A Valentine's Day kiss goodbye to the unwelcome record came thanks to a couple of smackers from Josh Maja for a 2-0 win.

The loanee was starting for the first time and was exactly where he needed to be, first to get on a low cross and then to tap in after Harrison Reed's long ranger that struck the foot of the post.

Everton were there for the taking after a draining midweek FA Cup tie, not to mention the absence of talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The first half exposed the Toffees as a passive unit, but the Whites failed to take advantage.

But they got their just deserts in the second period, and there was barely a moment when they weren't on the ball harrying and pushing a tired looking unit in blue.

Maja delivers
Fulham fans must have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief as their side dominated, and not just in little stretches.

Just one final flurry from the home side looked vaguely threatening – and vaguely is the right word.

There's more than a feeling Maja is at Fulham for the long term whether that be in the Premier League or the Championship.

The Londoner should have done better with a couple of bounces he failed to control in the first half.

But Scott Parker reckoned Maja knew his way around a penalty box, and if being in the right place at the right time is the elixir Fulham needed, Maja is the tonic.

He did little else other than score, but so what? The Whites simply needed someone who finds the back of the net.

The midfield was crucial
Reed, meanwhile, had a terrific game.

He was aided and abetted by an Everton midfield that gave him enough time to feel positively lonesome at times, but he was here, there and everywhere, and after one wayward attempt on goal, the next was as close as it gets without scoring.

It mattered not: Maja gobbled up the rebound.

Midfield partner Mario Lemina also put in a shift, and fatigue got the better of him towards the end.

However, the pair's contribution was key.

The first half looked so much like a Fulham first 45 minutes this season: bags of possession and no end product.

It was typical that Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a stray ball in midfield on 39 minutes, charged forward, saw his limited options and was forced to wait for the Fulham cavalry that came a full three seconds later – a lifetime in the elite for a side on the attack.

Fulham get the ball, head for the box and then look up.

There are times when going for goal and losing it would be preferable to the pondering around the penalty area – and still losing it.

As frustrating as that was, goals change games.

Once Fulham got their noses in front, there are few sides better at passing it to every corner of the pitch in neat triangles.

It looked as if the only way back for Everton would be from a set piece.

But their delivery was average and Alphonse Areola had but a single meaningful shot to save all night – and not a very difficult one at that from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Bold Parker gets it right
No Andre-Frank Anguissa in the starting line-up for the second match running.

However, he did finally get on to maintain a 100% record of appearing in every Premier League game.

And sticking Antonee Robinson on the bench was very interesting.

The left-back was the first name on the teamsheet apart from Anguissa and Areola a month ago.

You can't say the head coach is slow to exercise his options.

And Parker got it spot on to reignite Fulham hopes of escaping the drop.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/verdict-maja-delivers-for-fulham-as-parker-gets-it-spot-on

WhiteJC

Proud Parker says Fulham can beat the drop

Scott Parker saluted Fulham's fortitude after the Whites claimed a first-ever league win at Goodison Park – and insisted his side can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Londoners surprised high-flying Everton, outplaying Carlo Ancelotti's side and fully deserving their victory on Merseyside – which came courtesy of a second-half brace from new signing Josh Maja. Parker told BT Sport that Fulham's first win in twelve games certainly wasn't a surprise to him:

"It has been coming, for sure. The difference is that we win the game by putting the ball in the net. People may be seeing that it turns but for the large part in the last 15 games we have been consistent. We were brilliant, superb in everything we did in defence and attack. I don't think we deserved anything less to be honest."

The Fulham boss had been working hard on helping his forwards convert chances in training after rueing a goalless draw with West Ham last weekend and was delighted that his side were finally more ruthless in the final third.

"Today it has been the difference. I constantly say to this team, you cannot keep creating the chances and that is a good marker to keep belief. We have been on the wrong side of fine margins but in and around the six yard box we have sniffed out chances and got a big win."

Parker believes his side, who now move on to critical games against relegation rivals Burnley and Sheffield United, have more than enough to stay up – despite still being seven points from safety with fifteen games to play.

"That is how we go about our work. We have been drawing too many games and we need to be winning them. We now go into two massive games and onto the rest of the season. I have got full belief in this team, I honestly have.

"People judge performances on wins and losses, I have a different view because I see it everyday and have to be more rational looking at my team. It gives me constant belief. I know what we need to do and the players do too. We can't control what is around us, we just need to go out and win football matches. If we do that I know it will be OK. They said our record here was not great but it is irrelevant to me and I am happy to get the win."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/02/proud-parker-says-fulham-can-beat-the-drop/

WhiteJC

Fulham still face relegation, but what an improvement

This Fulham side could be used as a personality test. Did this shockingly straightforward 2-0 win at Everton extend their current run of decent form to just three Premier League defeats in 12 matches, or did it end a shocking run of 12 matches without a Premier League win?

Obviously it did both, but you already knew that. It's a fascinating run of form, though, and whatever it is it's certainly a vast improvement on where Fulham were in the early weeks of the season and, frankly, where anyone expected them to get to. Since losing 3-2 in the reverse fixture against Everton in November, at which point Fulham had lost seven of nine games on their return to the top flight, the Cottagers have lost only to Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester and Chelsea. Four of the current top five, in other words.

Across the season as a whole, they have now lost the same number of games as people's heroes Leeds. And today they recorded a win of such calm and assured dominance that you really couldn't quite believe this was a side that started the season being slapped silly by Arsenal, Leeds and Villa against one with genuine top-four aspirations.

It's a remarkable turnaround. And if the vast number of draws on the ledger means survival is still the longest of long shots, Fulham have at the very least put up a decent fight and, on this evidence, should give supporters plenty more to cheer come what may before the season is out. In a variation on the old "Play like this every week and they'll be fine" punditry staple, if Fulham play like this every week they'll be... much better than they were in the first two months of the season and much more entertaining than they've been ever since.

This was not just a seriously good performance from a side still facing near-certain relegation. It needed no such caveat; this was just a very good Premier League performance. Champions League-chasing Everton were second best in all departments, with the second of Josh Maja's goals on his full debut for Fulham driving that point home. He was one of two Fulham players following in Harrison Reid's shot when it came back off the post; there was no Everton defender in sight.

There was some mitigation for Everton. The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was keenly felt, his now Harry Kane-like importance to this side highlighted here not just in the way his own direct contributions were missed but in the reduced effectiveness those who usually play off him. Gylfi Sigurdsson, so good in the FA Cup against Spurs in midweek, was barely involved, James Rodriguez even less so and Richarlison an often forlorn and isolated figure attempting to replicate Calvert-Lewin's central role and proving a thoroughly inadequate understudy.

The 120 minutes of that rollercoaster FA Cup clash with Spurs may also explain a certain amount of the lethargy in Everton's performance here.

Yet to dwell on these factors, significant as they may be, would be to overlook the sheer scale of Fulham's superiority on the day. They were immaculate across the pitch, with Ademola Lookman thoroughly enjoying his return to Goodison and Maja, incongruously, climbing to joint fourth on the Cottagers' leading scorers' list in a single afternoon.

It all raises the issue of just how impressive can things be in a season that ends in relegation? Fulham are still not remotely on course for survival – it's still only 11 points from the last 12 games for all the improvement – but it's not hard now to see that points-per-game record ticking upwards if the solidity remains and Maja can build on this performance. Scott Parker looks certain now to end the season with reputation enhanced, and if certain other teams don't pull their finger out quite soon it could even end in what would surely be the greatest of all Premier League escapes.

It's not out of the question. They will encounter few teams as hospitable as Everton were, but they don't necessarily need to on this evidence. This was not a scoreline that flattered Fulham in the slightest.

Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace are up next for Parker's side. Respectable and understandable failure remains by far the likeliest ultimate outcome, but the possibility of something extraordinary persists.



https://www.football365.com/news/fulham-scott-parker-improvement-continues-everton


WhiteJC

Josh Maja's roundabout route to the Premier League

There's always been plenty of hype over Josh Maja. It's just he left these shores a few years ago, so it took him coming back to England for us to remember what all the fuss was about.

On Sunday night, he showed everyone just what the buzz is about, scoring twice in Fulham's crucial 2-0 win at Everton. But it's been a protracted route to the top for the Sunderland 'Til I Die star.

In that show's second season, Maja featured pretty heavily. It was mainly his contract situation with the club that was publicly displayed, though his performances in League One more than caught the eye.

During the 2018/19 season, Maja scored 15 league goals in 25 appearances, being the side's main goal threat as the Black Cats aimed to return to the second tier of English football. However, a contract extension was declined by Maja as clubs circled, and in January 2019 he signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.

It would take him until April to score his first league goal in France during a 2-1 loss at Nimes as he finished the 2018/19 season with seven league appearances for his new side.

His second season in Gironde was more fruitful. It mustered only 21 Ligue 1 appearances, but he returned a decent haul of six goal, as well as another couple of strikes in cup competitions.

But this season, opportunities became harder to come by.

Maja's only league goals came against Angers in August and Marseille in October, with Hwang Ui-jo given the forward role more often that not. Maja's performance levels dropped and he was soon deemed surplus to requirements.

That's where Fulham come in.

Scott Parker's side remain in trouble despite their brilliant win at Goodison Park. One of their main issues has been converting their solid performances into wins, with the recent run of draws encouraging but results which could come back to haunt them in the late stages of the season.

Maja made a deadline day loan move to Fulham, the side he played for as a youth player, and came off the bench against West Ham for his Premier League debut. Eight days later, he was given his first start in the competition at Everton.

It was his movement in the final third that was most impressive.

The 22-year-old was left unmarked for his first of the night, sliding in to tap Ola Aina's cross home, before he ghosted into the box to poke in the rebound after Harrison Reed hit the post.

His goals proved crucial in securing a win for Parker and Fulham. It might even make the loan deal worth it on its own. However, the Cottagers are still seven points adrift of 17th placed Newcastle, so Maja's work isn't exactly done yet.

Of the three teams currently in the relegation zone, Fulham look the most likely to avoid relegation, but even then it's not exactly likely. More nuggety performances are needed, and more poacher-like finishes from Maja could prove pivotal.



https://www.90min.com/posts/josh-maja-roundabout-route-to-the-premier-league

WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Make Their Own History With Their 2-0 Victory At Goodison Park

Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This is our initial reaction show of Fulham's dominating 2-0 victory against Everton at Goodison Park.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2021/2/14/22283227/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-make-their-own-history-with-their-2-0-victory-at-goodison-park