David Moyes made four changes to the starting lineup that faced Ipswich last time out. Ashley Young replaced Nathan Patterson at right back, and Michael Keane came in for Jake O’Brien, who was omitted from the matchday squad.
Jack Harrison replaced Dwight McNeil, who his still on the recovery path, whilst Abdoulaye Doucoure was reinstated for Iliman Ndiaye despite comments made public earlier in the week discussing his future.
Fulham were without Antonee Robinson at left back, Ryan Sessegnon filled in and posed similar threats, with the left clearly an avenue of attack for the Cottagers.
Everton found themselves behind 17 minutes in, with Sessegnon slipping Emile Smith-Rowe in, who ran off James Garner into the penalty area, a clipped cross was happily met by Raul Jiminez, bullying Mykolenko to head home, reminiscent of the Ipswich equalizer from the opposite side.
Everton looked unsure of how-to breakdown their opponent, a couple Michael Keane switches of play allowed the Toffees some rest bite into the final third, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the first.
Long throws added to the set-piece repertoire brought an unlikely equalizer on the stroke of half-time. Vitalii Mykolenko was on hand with a deflected shot that wrongfooted Leno and brought the Blues level, undeservedly so it must be said.
The energy of the two sides was night and day in the first. Fulham had an intensity in the press, hunting in packs, with Everton’s lacking any real intent. When Fulham had the ball in the final third, space and time allowed to the likes of Andreas Pereira and Harry Wilson, with both having multiple efforts from range.
Both sides remained unchanged after halftime, but Everton looked like some strong words were said as a change in impetus was evident, able to build some early pressure in the second, but corners once again provided little success.
Jordan Pickford was on hand with a miraculous reach to deny Harry Wilson’s lobbed effort. Just when Everton seemed to have got a foothold in the game, they very nearly found themselves behind.
David Moyes was proactive with his substitutes, with McNeil on for Jack Harrison and Iliman Ndiaye on for Doucoure, allowing Carlos Alcaraz to play through the middle. Fulham were still the team in control, but Everton posed more of a threat on the counter with pressure in the final third.
That pressure brought Everton in front. A Dwight McNeil in-swinging corner met by an unmarked Michael Keane, the chapter not quite closed on his Everton career. VAR did try to intervene, first checking for a foul by Alcaraz on Leno, but nothing was found. Followed by the customary offside check, again, nothing was found.
Just as Fulham had dusted themselves off from being behind, the lead was doubled by the Toffees. Some smart interchange of play between Ndiaye and Alcaraz, saw the Argentinian play Beto through. A first-time finish from just inside the box seemed to take Leno by surprise as the ball slipped under him, providing Everton with a 3-1 lead with 17-minutes remaining.
Pressure was applied from Fulham, but Everton were much more assured when defending the penalty area in the final stages of the game. Late substitutions saw Seamus Coleman able to enter the field for what could be his final few appearances for the Blues. Beto, applauded off the field by the Everton travelling fans, was replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Everton are up to 13th in the table for the time being, breaking the 40-point mark for the season. David Moyes will be happy to see changes both to the starting lineup and in the game, making an impact. It brought a welcome win and good feeling heading into the final game at Goodison Park.