Good from Fulham, poor from Everton

I was on the train to London for a little visit on Thursday when I got a message from a friend offering me some corporate tickets in the Dixie Dean lounge for Saturday’s game. This meant a little bit of rearranging as my train back to Liverpool on the Saturday was due to arrive at around 1pm.

I didn’t realise when booking the train, but the return journey was taking me via Chester at around midday, which actually really helped. This meant I could then meet Katja at Chester station who could pack my suit and then give me a lift to Goodison Park. I got changed in the car somehow and met Ste near the Park End at around 1pm before heading into the lounge.

Great company awaited us and we had a good laugh as we tucked into our food and drink. We were asked to head up to our seats a few minutes early to ensure we were present in time for a minute’s silence in memory of the Hillsborough victims – of which was, needless to say, impeccably observed. Marco Silva trotted down the steps and took his seat just a few rows ahead of us.

We’d received the team sheets and it was fair to say we were all a bit disappointed to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin not in the squad. Likewise Amadou Onana, both of whom were sat not too far away to my right in the first half.

We got underway and I thought we began OK, but as too did Fulham. I forget who it was but somebody missed a handy chance for the visitors, Demarai Gray tested Bernd Leno at his near post though it was easily saved.

And then Fulham began to exert themselves and began knocking at the door, and Everton opened it when Harry Wilson struck an excellent effort against the goal post. James Garner couldn’t quite get to the rebound and the ball eventually ended up with Harrison Reid who finished well to give Fulham the advantage. Good from Fulham, poor from Everton.

Credit to Everton however who battled back at haste and it didn’t take long before we were level when Dwight McNeil turned and charged at Fulham’s defence and drove nicely into the corner. It was deserved. Neal Maupay had already missed a great chance when he headed straight at Bernd Leno from six yards out after a nice ball in from James Garner. James Tarkowski also should have scored in the same opportunity but skied his half-volley well over the crossbar.

The chances didn’t stop there. Neal Maupay was again thwarted by Bernd Leno though I’d praise the keeper rather than criticise Neal in that instance as he was out quickly to smother. His first touch may have been better perhaps. And then another opportunity from Demarai Gray squirmed wide of the far post…perhaps had Neal have gambled he might have been in business there. Nevertheless, we’d recovered well in the game and we were all quite buoyant at the break as we sunk our half time pint.

Into the second half and I thought we were doing OK. Bernd Leno succeeded where Illan Meslier failed a few months back when Seamus Coleman scored from a tight angle. Bernd was better positioned and repelled it. We were having a bit of a go but then bang, out of nothing, a bit of a loose ball in was defended poorly by Ben Godfrey who got under the ball. It was headed back and Harry Wilson was there in the penalty area to finish well past Jordan Pickford. Good from Fulham, poor from Everton.

It was disappointing but at that point you felt there were more goals in the game as it felt very open. Unfortunately Everton just couldn’t get their act together and Fulham turned the screw and played on their terms and managed the game perfectly from there on in. Marco Silva made a very good tactical switch. In the first half James Garner was getting on the ball a lot and dictating things. Though after the break it seemed that Harrison Reid was tasked with picking him up and not allowing him time on the ball. This really effected the game and Fulham bossed it from there really.

James Tarkowski was lucky to escape a caution when he fouled Harry Wilson unnecessarily on the half way line. Though the goal we conceded from the subsequent free kick was so poor. Dreadful pedestrian defending and communication from James Tarkowski and Michael Keane provided Dan James with the relatively simply opportunity to slot into the goal tom make it 1-3. I felt for Ian Woan, Steve Stone and particularly Sean Dyche as they threw their arms up in anguish once that goal went in. Sean had been bellowing instructions to his players for some time by that point but to no avail. Good from Fulham, poor from Everton.

A growing anger was developing around Goodison Park and as Idrissa Gueye was swapped out for Tom Davies following the goal, you felt the game was up.

We briefly rallied, Alex Iwobi central to most things in terms of effort if nothing else, but it felt Fulham were in charge and in truth could have made the scoreline worse for us.

We watched the players trudge off at full time, while the Fulham fans hilariously taunted us with “You’re going down with the Chelsea”. I haven’t had that feeling of numbness after a game for some time with the threat of relegation feeling so real…made more apparent by Bournemouth scoring a late, late winner away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Mark Pembridge was the guest speaker, and he spoke very glowingly about Everton. Despite also spending a perhaps more productive spell of his career at Craven Cottage, he was referring to Everton as “we”, which was nice to hear, and also that his son supports Everton from his time here. We had a good laugh with the rest of the folks on the table as we made the best of things, and all watched the Grand National before finishing up and departing into the night.

And just a funny story to finish on. I was on the way down the stairs and saw a mate of mine, who’d also been in a separate hospitality suite walking down the stairs ahead of me. “James” I called though he carried on walking, not batting an eyelid. “Eh. JAMES” I called louder but still nothing. “JAMES”. Eventually he turned around and we had a little chat as we made our way outside. “Just to say by the way, Paul” he said. “My name isn’t James you know. It’s Michael.” Since I got to know him about 18 months ago I’ve been convinced his name is James. I can’t believe he’s been politely going along with it all this time.

On to Selhurst Park then. Come on, you Blues. Just do it.

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: I’m not sure what he could have done about the goals and he did alright otherwise. 6

Vitalii Mykolenko: He had a bit of a struggle throughout. Quite sad to see Antonee Robinson performing so well at left back for Fulham given we let him go. Even sadder to think we’ve sold Lucas Digne and replaced him with Vitalii. I’ve nothing against him personally of course, though the reduction in quality is apparent for all to see. 4

James Tarkowski: He had a really poor game. Hopefully he gets that out of his system in time for the trip to Selhurst Park. 4

Michael Keane: Better than James Tarkowski but still not great and also culpable for Fulham’s third goal. 5

Ben Godfrey: Also poor. I don’t know how much the concussion injury had to do with Fulham’s second goal, but that was mighty poor defending. Other than an inside centre back in a three man defence, I’m not so sure what his best position is, but it certainly isn’t right full back. 4

Idrissa Gueye: I thought he did quite well mostly. He got about the pitch for as much as he could before he had to come off. With Eid symbolising the end of Ramadan this coming Friday, hopefully we can begin to see more from Idrissa, Amadou, and when he’s back from suspension, Abdoulaye, as fasting while playing in the Premier League must be incredibly draining. We’ll need the three of them at their best if we’re going to get out of this mess. 6

James Garner: In the first half I thought James was very good. He got on the ball well and dictated play. Though I was a bit concerned by how easily he was the contained by Harrison Reid in the second half. Maybe with more midfield support around him we can get more from James, as that two man midfield didn’t really work. I look forward to seeing more of James. A good player who could make a difference for us in this final stretch. 6

Dwight McNeil: Took his goal well, used the ball intelligently and ran himself into the ground. A good shift from Dwight, one of the few. My man of the match. 7

Alex Iwobi: Also worked very hard and did quite well in flashes. 6

Demarai Gray: Not one of his better afternoons unfortunately. 5

Neal Maupay: I never like to load in on a player when everyone else does, though its difficult not to admit that this was a poor performance. He’s not really in the game a lot Neal, which is fine in a way so long as you’re clinical when your chances come. And that he is not. Two good chances came his way, one a sitter really and he couldn’t put them away. He is at least getting into the positions to score I guess, and if one goes in a few more might, but we really don’t have the luxury to wait on goals. Time is ticking by. We need Dominic back fit and playing desperately. 4

Substitutes:

Nathan Patterson (for Ben Godfrey): He also couldn’t get going in the game. Regardless, if Seamus remains injured, I’d like to see Nathan get more games. 4

Tom Davies (for Idrissa Gueye): I feel he’s done pretty well in his game time under Sean Dyche but that wasn’t the case on this occasion. He made a few mistakes and was pick-pocketed quite easily a few times. He had a face of thunder as he trudged off at the end. 4

Ellis Simms (for Neal Maupay): Also never really got going. 5

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