Moyesy says: The first half did (thrill me) but for the goal. I thought they played really well in the first half, I thought they played some excellent football. I thought the goals were exciting goals, there was a lot of enterprising play. I've got to give Fulham credit. They made it difficult in the second half and it was only when we got the fourth goal that I felt we had killed them off. We are on a decent run of form at the moment and with the games running out we have to keep that going." (07/04/07)

What did you think of the match?  Did Moyesy get his team selection and tactics right?  e-mail info@bluekipper.com after the game.

Fans Match Report By Dr Jim

A confidence boost for the run in if ever there was one. An admittedly below par Fulham came to Goodison hoping to sneak the draw and left with exactly what they deserved- ok apart from a few wayward second half passes and dozing off for the quickly taken free kicks and throws, the blues bossed this and always looked confident of being able to come from behind for the first time in 2 years- a longer spell than my Uncle Derek.
Teletext would have you believe Fulham took a 'deserved' lead on 22 from Moses Bocanegra's header against our Red Sea style defending. 'Deserved' only if you deserve a lead when getting your first shot on target. Before that Arteta had gone close when set free down the left only to smack a hard shot straight down the throat of Niemi, who despite going on to concede four had a fair game. Still think a shot across the keeper would have paid off better and looked nice for the watching cameras. After Carsley had been off for what seemed like an age getting his streetwise headgear on, the blues came straight back at Fulham to equalise on 24, good running from Lescott down the left and a teasing diagonal through ball from the left side was diverted home for bandageman to bag his first of the season. Chants of 'he only scores when concussed' were apt.

Despite the best efforts of Mr Gallagher to give every 50-50 to Fulham, Everton got the miracle of a free kick on the right side, which Arteta curled onto Stubbs' disturbingly large head in the 34th minute; 2-1 and confidence through the team was palpable. Lets get the third before half time, I opined and the lads listened, (as they usually do of course), and workhorse James Vaughan got third time lucky- after missing a sitter by choosing the right(wrong) foot to side a parried shot from the left side of the goal, then doing well to connect with a teasing ball across the box only to see the effort hit the post, Vaughan saved the best for the stroke of half time. AJ chased down a lost cause and battled for the ball, winning it from the touchline at the edge of the area. Passing back to the lively Arteta, the ball was swung in from the right and clipped home on the turn from Vaughan, wheeling away to celebrate a nice little interview in the programme.

HT Everton 3 Fulham 1

Second half started with watching the clock run down, weathering the Fulham comeback- surely Everton wouldn't crumble in the second half under pressure again? This is Everton though... the team seemed nervous but Lescott steadied the ship with a superb display, had Routledge in his pocket and despite a couple of close calls the blues held their own and were content to keep serving reminders of chances up the Gwladys that Fulham couldn't throw caution to the wind. Maybe an Everton of old would have thrown the game away but this side are made of sterner stuff. Don't be surprised if we challenge for a champions league place on this form, although tougher tests are to come. AJ headed straight at the keeper when unmarked when either side would have seen the net bulge, but his work rate on the night more than made up for it. Fulham kept trying with set pieces and came close with McBride and Knight headers, neither causing Howard to break a sweat.

Vaughan left to a standing ovation after going close with a run and shot at goal from the right for Vic to come on- a kick in the teeth for Beattie perhaps, but he didn't have to wait too long to come on, once the result was put to bed. Anichebe picked up the ball on the right side by the half way line. With options left and right, he seemed to choose the wrong option, trying to find Arteta along the ground behind the retreating Fulham defender. Guess he planned to nutmeg the defence from 20 yards as the ball squirmed through for Arteta to take the ball forwards to the edge of the box before squaring the ball back to the onrushing Nigerian. 'Smash it Vic!' went the cry but the lad had other plans, stroking the ball along the deck into the corner of the net from 18 yards. Now that's composure. 4-1, bring off AJ and Arteta for Beattie and Naysmith for the last knockings. Sad to see Anichebe hobbling off despite manfully trying to mark 2 Fulham attackers whilst hopping. Pipped to the post by comedy moment of the match being Carsley waiting in shirt and pants on the touchline after being bandaged, eventually receiving a decency-saving pair of shorts. MOTM Joleon Labone. Reporter: Dr Jim, Cloud 9

Fans Match Report By Jiing Yih

It was indeed a very Good Friday for all concerned with Everton as they romped to a 4-1 success at home to Fulham. Not only did the players impress with their bounce back ability with their attacking display, the high workrate of Andrew Johnson, the willingness of James Vaughan to act as the target man, and the pleasant sight of seeing Lee Carsley and Alan Stubbs get on the scoresheet made it all the more enjoyable. In the process of doing so, they temporarily move up to fifth in the standings, as mounting pressure grows on Chris Coleman as Fulham manager, after their acute inability to win away showed yet again.

It was Everton who produced the first clear opportunity early on, as a long punt forward from Yobo found Arteta in acres of space, whose first time shot gave Niemi some concern, as he hurriedly palmed the ball away for a corner. Fulham did their fair share of attacking, mostly through high ball and long range pot shots, as first Rosenior then Smertin did nothing much to trouble Howard. After having the early running for he first 20 minutes, Everton somehow panicked and Stubbs gave the ball away for a corner. The look on his face spoke volumes, and especially on the aftermath of the corner – Carlos Bocanegra stole in unmarked to head in the opener on 22 minutes. Everton have rarely conceded a lead a home, let alone fighting back from going a goal down, and it looked to be the case.

From then on right till the end of the first half, Everton did more than just a couple of things to delight the crowd and made the world sit up and take notice. The stark reality to James Beattie was clear: he has a real job on his heads to get even a goal, let alone being in the starting eleven. Joleon Lescott raged forward in search of the equalizer, and his low cross from the left was side footed into the net by Lee Carlsey, who had earlier been mistaken for an Italian defender as former Toffee Brain McBride unceremoniously butted him in the face; He had to bandaged his head and chance into a completely new set of kit, but that did not hinder him, as he netted his first strike since Bolton away on the final day of the 2004-05 season.

Chances came in thick and fast, as Johnson was proving to be the burnt of immobile Fulham players. Brown scythed down Johnson on the touchline, and the resulting freekick from Arteta found Stubbs – who celebrated his first strike since returning to Merseyside for his second spell. 35 minutes had passed, Everton were 2-1 up and coasting. Arteta somehow had a off-colour evening as some of his passes went astray, as he glanced a header off Johnson’s cross wide under pressure from Bocanegra. Not that the fans mind him for that, as the players kept asking questions of the Fulham defence. Meanwhile Vaughan did his burgeoning reputation the world of good as he struck a post, though he more than made up for it when he slammed home Arteta’s cross on the stroke of half time, after some brilliant work on the right.

Having sensed the need to protect a two-goal lead, the players understandably slowed down the tempo of the game, as Johnson produced some good moves with his movement off the ball. Fulham had large spells of possession and threatened through Knight, Davies and Bocanegra amongst others, but Howard was up to the task, as some of the shots went high and wide. The best thing to savour was arguably the sight of waving Arrivederci to Radzinski the ‘Rat’, as he had been heckled and whistled all night. The sight of him trodding off hanging his head in despair is truly just desserts for his comments about Everton many years ago. Collins John then Helguson came on, but by then it was too late. Anichebe finally settled the match once and for all after coming on as sub for his good pal Vaughan, as he brilliantly side footed home Arteta’s cross on 80 minutes. Niemi was left exposed as his defenders went AWOL. With such dedication and commitment to the cause, it was therefore no surprise to see him leave to a standing ovation by the crowd – he had rather unfortunately twisted his ankle after a challenge with Rosenior. Beattie and Naysmith had already come on, so it was 10-man Everton for the reaming minutes, but the team held on. Well done lads, I’m so proud of you. Greetings especially to Alan Stubbs, whom I’ve had the pleasure of wearing his name on my back! Reporter: Jiing Yih

Fans Match Report By Dave Willoughby

Good Friday certainly was a good one for the blues climbing to fifth in the table with a convincing win against a plucky Fulham side who if could convert chances may have troubled the home side!! But the history of this fixture does not bode well for the London club, they have failed to pick any points up at Goodison Park since 1959!!! Former players returning, Mcbride and Davies were greeted with applause, Radzinski?? enough said, left Everton in search of success!!!??? Everton were un changed from the side that started at Villa Park on Monday night.

Fulham were out of the blocks early, the home side seemed un sure at the back, Smertin giving Howard an early tester. Everton responded through the inspirational Arteta, his dipping volley beaten out by Niemi. Again Fulham pressed and after further uncertainty in the blues back four Fulham's Bocanegra rose un marked to convert a Simon Davies corner to the delight of the fifty or so travelling support!! Certainly a wake up call for the home side and they responded in the perfect way, a reverse ball from Arteta to Lescott down the left resulted in a low cross finding Super Lee Carsley sliding in at the front post to steer the ball into the far corner giving the keeper no chance!! The midfielder sporting a head bandage from an earlier clash with Mcbride scoring his first goal of the season, amazing what a bang to the head can do!! The home crowd now in good voice, Fulham'sreaction was to lose shape and time after time gave the home side too much space, a second seemed on its way and came through the head of Alan Stubbs from a free kick from, yes you guessed it Arteta!! The home side along with the home support sensed domination and this was confirmed with the third goal from the hard working Vaughan, the young striker started the move flicking on a Howard clearance into the path of the impressive Johnson who layed off to Arteta out wide, his deliver pin point as ever found Vaughan who adjusted well to crash number three into the roof of the net. The away following began to spill out, the mini bus awaiting outside!!

HT EVERTON 3 Fulham 1

It's always the case, good lead at half time, game relatively over, complaisance sets in. Fulham had their roasting at half time and were out
early for the second half. The away side decided to have a go, the impressive Routledge kept Lescott on his toes throughout the ninety minutes
and was Fulham's only real threat. Everton began giving needless free kicks away in and around the penalty area, Mcbride going close on one occasion, just a warning to the blues that the game was far from over. The home side created very few chances and like Monday night struggled at times to hold the ball up in the last third. Vaughan again began to tire, which at his age is understandable, Johnson ever willing to run the channels never giving Fulham's tower Zat Knight a moments rest. Unlike Monday night changes were made, Anichebe replaced Vaughan and the young striker helped himself to Everton's fourth ten minutes from time, again like Vaughan he began the move picking up the ball on the right, he found Arteta on the left who drove to the edge of the box, returning the favour the Spaniard squared the ball into the strikers path who delivered a composed finish side footing in from just inside the penalty area and end any hopes of a Fulham fight back. The game now won Arteta and Johnson were replaced by Naysmith and Beattie. Everton went in search of a fifth while running the clock down, referee Gallagher brought proceedings to a close, leaving the home support in jubilant mood going into Mondays away fixture at Bolton.

FT EVERTON 4 Fulham 1

My Man of The Match goes to Carsley, hard working as ever, was always breaking up play and to top it all a great goal, Neville could take a leaf
out of his book, win the ball and play it easy!!! Johnson, played well, worked hard and deserved a goal. Lescott, again for me outstanding against an impressive Routledge. Arteta, one of his quieter games although involved in all four goals!! Stubbs, reads the game so well, great headed goal. Reporter: Dave Willoughby

* When the three men and a dog supporting Fulham had the cheek to sing "You're support is f***ing shit" and the whole Park End folded up laughing outloud at them. Cheeky buggers,their club paid for their coaches and they could only fill a couple of mini buses. Happy Easter and another 3 points at Bolton, Cheers John Kelly

* Kipper was that bollixed that he came back from the toilet midway through the first half, went in the wrong row and calmly watch the rest of the half from the wrong seat, much to all our amusement. By the way he has sat in the same seat for years.

* Some kids kept blowing up balloons and letting them blow out up in the air, lets be honest most of us were watching it in the lower Gwladys'! Joeverton.

Manny Fernandes has been ruled out for the visit of Fulham with a thigh strain, so Moyesy should we believe stick with the same eleven that came so close to securing all the points at Villa Park on Monday. Shandy has been included in the squad, and although it is unlikely that the Dutch winger will start, at least it adds to Moyesy options on the bench. Jimmy Mac also comes into contention, and after his brace for the rezzies on Tuesday night, so Moyesy has some selection posers, good ones at that

Apart from Tiny and now Manny, Moyesy's numbers are increasing of late, with Sandro, Nuno, Nace, Shandy, Faddy and Hibbo all back for the season's run in, but the Blues will have to have their wits about them, as Fulham still need points on the board to secure their Premiership future for another season.

Moyesy says: "We have got another two difficult games coming up now and I'd hope we get if not more over Easter. I thought we played well against Aston Villa and we go into the game against Fulham full of confidence. The one thing we want to do is keep this good run going for as long as we can. It's going to be tough mentally on the run-in but we are ready for the challenge."

Everton from: Howard, Wright, Neville, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Valente, Pistone, Naysmith, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, McFadden, vd Meyde, Johnson, Beattie, Vaughan, Anichebe

Jogger's Eleven To Start: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Yobo, Stubbs, Carsley, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Vaughan, Johnson

Quality

Quality

Quality

Quality

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

Welcome back to Goodison to Simple, Brian 'Bake' McBride, and the Rad who will all get a hero's reception, the Rad more than most, lovely fella'. Anyhow Manager Chris Colemanballs has a host of injuries to Claus Jensen, Vincenzo Montella, Franck Queudrue and Ian Pearce, and you have to go back to September when the Londoners last recorded a victory in the Premiership on their travels. They have never won in the Premiership at Goodison, so shit, shit, shit, why I have just told you that.

Simple says: "This is getting to the business end of the season, we really need to put a few back-to-back wins together and get some more points on the board. It's a big game for us and we need to get something out of it. Everton have got a great work ethic and are very organised at the back. We've got to try and impose ourselves on the game and keep it tight."

Fulham from: Niemi, Lastuvka, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Knight, Christanval, Volz, Smertin, Davies, Brown, Diop, Radzinski, McBride, Routledge, Helguson, John, Dempsey

Last Season Everton 3 Fulham 1