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I don't think I have got the team right and tonight I wasn't even close. Phil Neville kept his place even though Hibbo was available again. So it was the same back four that started the Blackburn game.

Landon keeps his place on the right and on the left is Maggie. We have Felli and Gibbo int he middle.

Up front was the biggest shock, Tim Cahill supported Denis. Louis couldn't complain but I was shocked when Denis got the nod.

The bench looked pretty strong with Louis, Vic, Tolis, Royston, Hibbo, Jose and the Bannerman.

The game got off to a very slow start. Each team cagey in the opening and if anything Everton were the better team. You couldn't believe when Fulham's first attack resulted in a goal. Some Fulham fella managed to get to the by line and cut it back some other Fulham player to have a shot. Johnny threw his body in the way to block the effort, which he did and the World Cup referee points to the spot for handball. How I just don't know. He also booked Johnny. I would love to slap Howard in his chops with a wet kipper. Knobhead.

Ex redshite Murphy scores and we are one nil down.  

The reaction from going a goal down was very positive. I can't remember how many corners we had in the next ten minutes. Duffers should have levelled when he had a free header from the first corner.

Maggie had an effort blocked, then Tim Cahill had a header saved and again Shane Duffy had a goal bound shot deflected off the line. It just wouldn't go in.

But a couple of minutes later Everton gor there just rewards. Landon put a lovely cross over with his left foot and there was Denis to plant a header into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Well played Strac.

Everton dominated the remainder of the half. Felli and Landon went close as with efforts from outside the box as we searched for the lead.

Half Time: Everton 1 Fulham 1

It was a cagey opening to the second half  and if anything Fulham were getting the better of it. The chances for both side were few and far between

One Everton move saw Darron Gibson clear on the right and he put a cracking cross over but there was nobody there to finish it.

Landon, who was having another fine decent effort but it went wide.

Both teams were waiting for something to happen and it was David Moyes who tried to make a move when he brought on Royston for Maggie. I don't know about you but I don't think Maggie has got it. I hope he proves me wrong.

We were on the front foot and it was Landon who again was causing the problems down the right. He was on a run when he got brought down for a free kick on 73 minutes

Phil Neville took a quickie to Landon to cross brilliantly. There was Fellini at the back post the head a whopper in the back of the net. What a cracker. Great play by our two best players on the night.

Tim nearly made it three but his header from a Phil cross was smacked against the crossbar and scrambled to safety

Denis came off for big Vic to a standing ovation from the crowd with about 5 minutes to go. He may not be the most talented footballer we've ever seen in a blue shirt, but you can't deny the effort he put in. Maybe a few of the other lads should take note.

We kept Fulham out for a deserved victory. The Blue Kipper star man goes to Felli who just edged out Landon Donavan.

And David Moyes is right a victory does lift the gloom. That's for sure. Well it does for now. Am off to Flares.  COYB

Full Time: Everton 2 Fulham 1