Everton were somehow left empty-handed after a dominant performance ended in a 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Goodison Park in the opening game of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

The Blues controlled proceedings throughout the opening period but were unable to find a way past an on-form Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.

The visitors struck the decisive blow 17 minutes from the end, when substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid turned in Andreas Pereira's low cross from close range.

Everton, who registered nine of their 19 shots on target to Fulham's two from nine efforts, continued to play on the front foot after the setback but were ultimately unable to find a way through a stubborn Cottagers' defence.

After contending with a number of injuries and players on international duty during the summer, manager Sean Dyche admitted before kick off that "a few are still playing catch up", while revealing his hopes to have the majority of the squad in peak condition in "the next 10 days or so".

Summer signing Ashley Young was handed his competitive Blues debut from the start, while fellow off-season recruit Arnaut Danjuma began on the bench as he bids to return to full fitness after suffering a knock in the build up to Everton's final pre-season win over Sporting CP last weekend.

The familiar beats of Z Cars and return of the Goodison roar signalled the start of this new season.

That opening-day excitement almost became full-blown jubilation with the contest just 33 seconds old, when James Garner's cushioned header released Neal Maupay, who drilled a low snap-shot inches wide of Bernd Leno's post.

That, however, set the tone for the entire first half, as the Blues went in search of the opening goal.

A golden opportunity fell to Abdoulaye Doucoure just four minutes later but, after ignoring options to his right, he opted to go alone only to be denied by the legs of Leno in a one-on-one situation. 

The Toffees continued to pile forward, with Alex Iwobi frequently involved in the left channel.

The Nigeria international spurned two half chances a couple of minutes apart, before providing a superb deep cross that was headed down by Doucoure and, somehow, kept out again by Leno from Maupay's instinctive effort from point-blank range.

Everton thought they had broken the deadlock 10 minutes before the half-time interval through Michael Keane's simple finish into an empty net, but, controversially, referee Stuart Attwell adjudged that James Tarkowski, who was confirmed as the Club's new vice captain on Friday, had fouled Leno, who had fumbled a cross, in the build up.

There was still time for two more presentable opportunities before the break.

Iwobi was involved again with a superb solo run to set up Amadou Onana, who connected well with his shot but it flew straight at Leno.

Then, the Belgian midfielder turned provider, slipping in Maupay, who was again saw his effort saved by Leno.

Everton headed back to the dressing rooms for half-time having dominated proceedings. While only enjoying 30 per cent of possession, the Toffees had managed 10 shots on goal to Fulham's one, while the Blues' xG of 2.2 far out-weighed the visitors' xG of 0.03.

Perhaps expectedly, there was a reaction from the Cottagers at the beginning of the second period.

Raul Jimenez mustered their first real chance of note just before the hour mark, striking the base of the post with a clipped effort before De Cordova-Reid blazed over the target on the rebound.

But that warning appeared to jolt Everton back into gear.

In response, after biding his time just inside the penalty area, Iwobi completed a couple of stopovers before creating a yard of space and forcing Leno into a save at full stretch to keep the ball from nestling into the bottom corner of the net. 

Patterson met the rebound but his first-time effort cannoned back off the crossbar - and replays suggest the Scot may have been offside in any case.

The crucial sucker-punch came on 73 minutes, as all three Fulham substitutions combined, De Cordova-Reid applying a simple finish at the far post to give Marco Silva's side the lead.

Everton continued to push on and as the clock struck 90 minutes, Tarkowski's diving header crept agonisingly wide of the post, as Fulham held on to snatch all three points.

Next up for the Dyche's side is a clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday 20 August (2pm BST).