Positives & Negatives: Everton 1-1 Fulham

Well that was a kick in the teeth! If you’d have offered me a point prior to kick-off I’d have taken it, however given the context of the game, Marco Silva’s side walk away with what feels like two points dropped. While Beto and the Gladys Street End appears to be our kryptonite, it was an improved performance from last week and in CamRam’s absence – here are the positives and negatives. 

Positives

Better from Berge

Following the game against Aston Villa there was an understandable cause for concern about Sander Berge slotting in for Sasa Lukic, and while I don’t think he’s the permanent solution, the Norwegian was better at Goodison. Everton struggled to create for the most part and Berge (along with others I’ll get onto shortly) was one of the main reasons for this. 

Not only was he stronger in the tackle, winning four of his five duels and two tackles, his ability to turn with the ball and keep it ticking from deep was prominent. A 90% pass accuracy and 100% long ball accuracy shows that Berge could be the long-term answer in a midfield two alongside Lukic. 

Wonderful from Wobes

Alex Iwobi’s goal was the epitome of how Marco Silva wants Fulham to play, absolute monsters in transition who are capable of putting the ball in the net when the chance comes. Emile Smith Rowe (who I’ll be honest, I didn’t think had a great game) does what he was signed to do and dances past what feels like the entire Everton side before finding the Nigerian. 

Iwobi still has an awful lot to do and weaves and moves his way into space and strikes from range. Fulham are starting to show that we have goals across the pitch with a number of players being able to chip in, long may it continue. 

Defiant from Diop

Issa Diop is a funny ol’ character. A frame which never really gives any confidence and a defender that seems to be less than reassuring when on the ball. That being said, he was at it on this occasion. Slotting in for Andersen and not putting a foot wrong, the central defender helped nullify the Toffees to speculative efforts from range (for the most part). 

Six clearances, 90% pass accuracy and winning three of his four ground duels summed up a solid performance for Diop. I know sometimes he may not get the plaudits but he’s a more than capable central defender and is a testament to the depth we have at our disposal.

Negatives

The Buzzer Beater

Fulham were in control. Everton generally offered nothing and Fulham looked convincing for the majority of the game, and yet once again we managed to drop two more points at the death. Is it a mentality thing? Is it a tactical thing? I think the answer is probably in the middle. 

Conceding a late goal time after time must be demoralising and it will be in the back of the mind of those on the pitch but I want to put a bit of blame on Silva here. For all of his plaudits, Silva got it wrong with the changes he made in the final stages. Fulham were in control playing our usual back 4 before we decided to adopt our back 5 when looking to see a game out. This felt like a really unnecessary switch and ultimately just invited pressure that wouldn’t have been there if we’d have just stuck it out – frustrating.