Yobo grace enhances the guile of Gravesen
Everton 2 Fulham
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Your support makes all the difference.A goal conceded on the stroke of half-time is psychologically devastating, according to the footballing axiom. It was not surprising, then, that two in as many minutes just before the interval proved fatal to a Fulham side that completely lost its way after a bright start.
Everton went on to dominate the second half and should have added to Kevin Campbell's header and Thomas Gravesen's drive.
The Everton manager, David Moyes, was able to introduce the Nigerian World Cup player Joseph Yobo, who enjoyed a composed, classy debut. The centre-back, a £5m summer signing from Marseille had been sidelined by an ankle injury incurred in pre-season. "Joseph Yobo is a highly talented young centre-half," Moyes said. "It was a difficult decision to drop Alan Stubbs but I was very pleased by the way we defended."
The corresponding fixture last season marked Moyes' first in charge of Everton. On that occasion his team were ahead within 30 seconds but yesterday Fulham should have taken the early lead. Sylvain Legwinski was put through on goal but could not beat Richard Wright.
Everton's team ethic was epitomised by the lookalike midfielders Gravesen and Lee Carsley. Only occasionally were Fulham able to circumnavigate their full-blooded challenges. Carsley, Tomasz Radzinski and Li Tie all went close before Everton finally took the lead when Campbell flicked a near-post header past Edwin van der Sar.
Then Gravesen was permitted to run unopposed to the edge of the penalty area from where he struck a drive low into the left-hand corner.
Everton continued to dominate after the break and only Radzinski will know how he failed to score as chance after chance came his way and was spurned. First he was unable to convert the rebound after another Gravesen drive had been parried by Van der Sar. The Canadian striker's next two attempts struck the frame of the Fulham goal. His smart snap-shot ricocheted off the right-hand upright and moments later his side-footed finish hit the other post, with Van der Sar well beaten on both occasions.
"I was delighted to hear the fans singing his name," said Moyes. "He's playing well, his work-rate's good and he just needs a few goals to go in now."
"I asked for a good defensive performance and I got it, but what pleased me most was the number of chances we created and how we recovered after they started so strongly."
By the end, Fulham were well beaten and lucky to escape Merseyside with just a two-goal defeat. They will need to be play much better against Hadjuk Split if they are to progress in the Uefa Cup.
"We played well against Chelsea last week and I think we were tired," said Christian Damiano, the Fulham assistant manager. "We have played so many games already but we are already looking forward to Thursday night."
Everton 2 Fulham 0
Campbell 45, Gravesen 45
Half-time: 2-0 Attendance: 34,371
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