Everton Fight back to dent Fulham's European hopes



Everton dealt a hammer blow to Fulham's hopes of qualifying for Europe by coming from behind to win at Craven Cottage.

Striker Beto and defender Michael Keane found the back of the net within three minutes of one another to give the Toffees their second win in 11 Premier League matches.

Fulham, seeking to keep pace with Brentford and Brighton in pursuit of a European spot, took a 17th-minute lead when Mexico striker Raul Jimenez headed in Emile Smith Rowe's cross.

Marco Silva's side dominated the opening half, coming close to doubling their lead through Harry Wilson's low effort which was well saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

But Everton went into the break level after Vitalii Mykolenko's tame effort from the edge of the box took a deflection off Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play when Keane headed in a 70th-minute corner from substitute Dwight McNeil, with the goal confirmed after surviving a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside.

Everton scored a third 22 seconds after the restart when Leno allowed Beto's left-footed effort to squirm under his palm for the striker's eighth league goal of the season.

Fulham were denied a spot-kick in the 11th minute of injury time when referee Darren England, who was sent to the pitchside monitor to review a handball against Mykolenko, stuck with his on-field decision of no penalty.

The defeat left the Cottagers in 11th and four points behind eighth-placed Brentford, while Everton climbed to 13th.

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