Winning Start For Moyes
EVERTON 2 FULHAM 1
March 16th, 2002
All the pre-match hype surrounded Everton's new manager, David Moyes, who had taken over from Walter Smith just 48 hours ahead of the visit of Fulham.
Moyes acknowledged the rapturous welcome from the Goodison faithful and took his seat in the dug-out hoping for a decent start to the game.
He got more than that - Everton took the lead after 27 seconds!
David Unsworth collected the ball some 20 yards from goal and lashed a beautiful drive past Edwin Van der Sar to give Everton, and Moyes, a dream start.
It got even better on 12 minutes when Duncan Ferguson charged down an attempted van der Saar clearance and slotted home a second Everton goal.
Goodison couldn't believe it!
However, the delighted supporters were brought down to earth before the half-hour mark when Thomas Gravesen was sent-off after picking up a second yellow card.
What a start to life in the Premiership for David Moyes!
Just eight minutes into the second period, Fulham pulled a goal back when Steed Malbranque netted from close range.
The Evertonians were left thinking that it had all been 'too good to be true' and the home side had some fierce defending to do to protect the one-goal advantage.
Fulham hit the bar with five minutes to go but Everton held on for a truly dramatic victory.
The David Moyes era was under way!
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