Kevin Mirallas came off the bench to score the winner for Everton in their 3-1 victory over Fulham in an English Premier League match at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
In terms of possession the opening 45 minutes was pretty even, but in terms of shots on goal Fulham definitely had the better of the first half.
Everton saw a lot of the ball, but they lacked imagination in the final third and really struggled to break down a stubborn Fulham defence.
The home side, though, did not struggle for chances in front of goal and instead were frustrated by their poor finishing.
Fulham created their first chance on goal in the fourth minute when a swift counter-attack saw Lewis Holtby fire just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Ten minutes later Brede Hangeland flicked on a cross at the front post for Pajtim Kasami, but he nodded the ball inches wide from close range.
Everton’s best chance of the half came in the 23rd minute when Gerard Deulofeu tried his luck from the edge of the box, but saw his effort well-saved by the keeper.
Five minutes later Tim Howard had to be at his best for the Toffees when he tipped a Holtby header over the crossbar.
Fulham finished the half the stronger of the two teams with Steve Sidwell shooting just wide from the edge of the box in the 41st minute.
The half ended 0-0.
The start of the second half finally saw Everton creating some openings in front of goal and they managed to take the lead in the 50th minute when Steven Naismith fired the ball into a crowed box and saw the ball into the net off David Stockdale, 1-0.
Fulham, though, were not going to go down without a fight and hit back in the 70th minute thanks to fantastic 20-yard strike from Seyed Ashkan Dejagah that found the corner of the net, 1-1
Kevein Mirallas, however, restored Everton’s lead nine minutes later when he beat one defender before drilling his shot past a helpless keeper, 2-1.
Naismith guaranteed victory for Everton with their third goal in the 87th minute after he turned home a Leighton Baines cross, 3-1.
