Everton's wait for a first home win came to an end as Louis Saha's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Fulham.
Everton beat Fulham 1-0 for first home win
Everton's wait for a first home win of the season came to an end as Louis Saha's late goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Fulham.
Everton came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half as Marouane Fellaini hit the post, while the Belgian midfielder also felt he should have been awarded a penalty for a foul by Brede Hangeland.
Former Toffees striker Andy Johnson missed a chance at the other end on his first return to Goodison Park, and Zoltan Gera then headed against the crossbar early in the second half.
The woodwork was then struck for a third time when Tim Howard parried Jimmy Bullard's free-kick and Bobby Zamora could only find the post on the rebound.
Fulham were made to pay for their missed chances when Saha, who spent four years with the Cottagers, headed home Leon Osman's cross three minutes from time.
Glorious opening
For a long spell this lunch-time kick-off lacked urgency, pace and real effort.
Everton started well, with Cahill being used just behind strike partner Ayegbeni Yakubu.
Cahill wasted a glorious opening in the first minute, and the Toffees' fans sat back expecting more chances to flow.
Phil Neville's right-wing cross was headed down by Fellaini, but Cahill completely missed his connection on the edge of the six-yard box.
Cahill then put Mikel Arteta into space on the left, and the cross was headed goal-wards by Steven Pienaar, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer claiming it.
Arteta then saw a 20-yard free-kick deflect off the wall, leaving Schwarzer scrambling across his goal as the ball went just wide.
But that was about it in the opening half. The lack of forward tempo allowed both defences far too much time.
Fulham made little progress going forward, and Howard was not troubled when Johnson's touch set up Bullard, with the midfielder's shot flying high over.
After 27 minutes Everton were almost ahead when Fellaini's low drive hit the foot of a post, Schwarzer scrambling the ball away.
Fulham's response was a run by Simon Davies and a right-wing cross by Bullard that saw Zamora and Johnson both waste half-chances as Everton failed to clear.
The second period opened with Cahill seeing one header fly well wide, and another attempt - from Arteta's cross - just clear the bar.
Fulham then fashioned their own chance against the woodwork when after 56 minutes Zamora chipped in a cross from the left and Gera rose to hit the bar with a firm header.
Last resort
On the hour, boss David Moyes decided to restore Cahill to an orthodox central midfield role and send on Saha up front. Fellaini, despite his promise, was taken off.
After 70 minutes Bullard saw a 20-yard free-kick saved by Howard and Zamora hit the post as the ball bounced out. Everton eventually managed to clear.
Everton then sent on another forward, Victor Anichebe, for Pienaar after 75 minutes, the last resort of an aerial bombardment being the home side's next tactic.
After 82 minutes Everton had the ball in the net after Schwarzer had fumbled a high ball, but Yakubu was penalised for a foul on the keeper.
Everton replaced Yakubu with James Vaughan, while Fulham sent on defender Chris Baird for Bullard.
And finally Everton took the lead after 87 minutes when Saha powered home a header from Leon Osman's cross. Fulham sent on Clint Dempsey for Gera before the restart.
Erik Nevland took over from Simon Davies soon after, but there was no time for Fulham to salvage anything.
| Everton |
Team Statistics |
Fulham |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
10 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 6 |
Corners |
5 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 72.9 |
Passing Success |
68.1 |
| 18 |
Tackles |
28 |
| 100 |
Tackles Success |
57.1 |
| 54.5 |
Possession |
45.5 |
| 56.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
43.9 |
|
