Impressive Everton Back To Winning Ways At Hill Dickinson

Everton returned to winning ways at Hill Dickinson Stadium as goals from Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane sealed a fully-deserved 2-0 victory over Fulham.

Eager to sign off for the international break on a positive note, David Moyes’ men produced one of their most complete performances of the season – and had three efforts ruled out for offside, to boot.

Dominating the first half, the Blues finally found a breakthrough four minutes into added time when Gana smashed home the rebound after James Tarkowski hit the post.

Thierno Barry was excellent leading the line for the Toffees, while fellow summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall created the all-important second – his pinpoint corner headed home by the in-form Keane.

The result sent Everton up to 11th in the Premier League table and buzzing again going into a two-week break.

Before kick-off, a period of silence was marked for Remembrance, with the Last Post being played to honour past and present Armed Forces servants.

Once the action got under way, the Blues made a rapid start to put their opponents on the back foot.

Fresh from his stunning solo goal at Sunderland, Iliman Ndiaye turned provider this time around, gliding in a sumptuous cross that Barry headed over the bar.

Then, on 11 minutes, James Garner’s 30-yard free-kick stung the palms of Bernd Leno as the German keeper tipped the ball around the post.

Having arched a pinpoint long ball into the feet of Ndiaye on the right flank, Jordan Pickford shows his vast array of skills with a trademark ‘sidewinder’ pass to release Grealish. The ball was worked to Gana on the right edge of the box, who cut across goal for Barry to tap home – only for the Frenchman to be ruled narrowly offside.

Then, three minutes before half-time, another Toffees goal was chalked off when Tarkowski smashed home from 10 yards out before the skipper was adjudged offside in the build-up.

Having rued missed opportunities at Sunderland five days earlier, Everton stayed patient to get their rewards during six minutes of first-half added-time.

Mykolenko did well to dink a cross into the back post and, despite Tarkowski heading against the crossbar and Iroegbunam missing the rebound, Gana was on hand to smash home from close range.

Advantage gained and looking for a crucial second that didn’t come at the Stadium of Light, the Toffees had an effort ruled out for offside for a third time eight minutes after the restart as Dewsbury-Hall fired a fine finish into the bottom left-hand corner – only for Barry to be just ahead of his marker as he played the ball back to his fellow summer signing.

The Blues followed that with some lovely spells of flowing football, keeping possession and continuing to ask questions of Fulham.

And to the joy around Hill Dickinson Stadium, a crucial second came 10 minutes from time, Dewsbury-Hall whipping in a teasing corner that Keane got to first to nod into the net in front of the South Stand.

That proved enough to seal a fully-deserved three points for Everton on another day to savour at Hill Dickinson Stadium.