Superb Keane Reveals How Blues Executed Fulham Plan

Michael Keane says Everton's impressive 2-0 win over Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium was a case of the Blues executing their gameplan against the Cottagers.

David Moyes' side banged on the door from the first whistle against Fulham, with Thierno Barry and James Tarkowski both having goals ruled out before offside before Idrissa Gana Gueye's opener on the stroke of half-time.

The Toffees continued to look dangerous throughout and had a third goal – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's calm finish – chalked off for another offside.

Keane then sealed the result with a well-guided header from a corner with nine minutes remaining.

"It feels great," said Keane afterwards. "I think it was very much needed. We've been frustrated lately not to pick up more results and it feels like we've not had a win for a while so it was really important today – and I thought you could tell. The lads were really at it straight away and we were all really determined [to get the win], so we're very pleased to get the three points."

There was yet another VAR check on Keane's goal, but the defender insisted he was always confident this one would stand, explaining: "No [I wasn't nervous], to be honest! I knew it hit my shoulder. I think I headed it first but I knew it hit my shoulder and didn't hit my arm. I knew I was safe! But, yeah, five goals [with three disallowed for offside] shows the pressure we were putting on. That was part of our plan – to put pressure on, at home and get the fans behind us. I thought we did that well today.

"We work on set pieces a hell of a lot. We plan everything that we do. We're trying to get more goals in the team, whether that's through the strikers, the midfielders, the defenders on set plays. I fancied myself to get a chance today and thankfully when it came, I took it."

The victory over Fulham represented Keane's 350th league appearance in his career to date.

He added: "I've always believed in myself. I've always believe in what I can bring and I know I had a couple of years where I've not played a lot. I've been fortunate this season to get the opportunity, so I'm really enjoying myself and I think 350 games is good going but hopefully there are plenty more left to come."