Everton ended a three-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The win moved David Moyes' side up to 11th place, just three points from the Champions League spots.
Idrissa Gueye opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Michael Keane sealed the points with a late header. The victory marked Everton's third win before an international break this season.
Standing ovation for goalless striker
The most striking moment came when striker Thierno Barry was substituted in the 79th minute. Despite failing to score, the £27 million summer signing from Villarreal received a rousing ovation from the home crowd for his tireless performance.
Moyes praised the 23-year-old's contribution. «All the Evertonians know that both the players are looking for confidence,» the manager said. «Barry was giving them something to shout about. He worked his nuts off, he was committed to the team.»
The France youth international has yet to score in 13 appearances for Everton but showed promising signs with his work rate and link-up play. «If he was scoring you wouldn't think about it but when he isn't scoring he has to be very good,» Moyes explained. «I thought in other parts he worked his nuts off, ran hard, was committed and did a very good job for the team today.»
Frustration before breakthrough
Everton had three goals disallowed for offside during the match, adding to the tension before Keane's decisive strike. The defender headed home from a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner nine minutes from time.
«The win is very much needed,» Keane told Premier League Productions. «We've been frustrated that we haven't picked up more results lately.» His defensive partner James Tarkowski added to BBC Sport: «We played really well to be honest and dominated most of the game. We got that clean sheet finally.»
Silva admits defeat deserved
Fulham manager Marco Silva, who previously managed Everton, accepted his team's performance fell short. «Disappointing result for us, more than the result a disappointing performance,» he said.
«We got what we deserved from the game, definitely,» Silva continued. «We lost the game in the physicality, we didn't handle the physicality of the Everton side.» The defeat left Fulham just one point above the relegation zone after losing five of their last six away matches.
The victory represents Moyes' 20th Premier League win against Fulham, his most frequent opponent. It also provides crucial momentum heading into the international break.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
