Recap

Fulham 1-2 Everton: Toffees Stage Dramatic Comeback at Craven Cottage

Everton secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Fulham in a Premier League clash at Craven Cottage on February 7, 2026, extending their unbeaten run to five matches with a second-half turnaround. The match, played in front of 27,155 fans, saw Fulham take an early lead through Vitalii Mykolenko’s own goal, only for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to equalize in the 75th minute before Bernd Leno’s unfortunate 83rd-minute own goal sealed the win for David Moyes’ side.

First Half: Fulham Dominate but Fortune Favors Everton

The opening 45 minutes belonged to Marco Silva’s Fulham, who controlled possession and created numerous chances but failed to capitalize fully. Everton started brightly, with Jake O’Brien’s header crashing off the crossbar in the 8th minute after James Garner’s free-kick was denied, signaling early intent from the visitors. However, Fulham quickly regrouped, and Jordan Pickford was called into action with a superb save to deny Raul Jimenez, followed by O’Brien clearing Sander Berge’s follow-up effort off the line.

Fulham’s left flank proved particularly dangerous, with Ryan Sessegnon heavily involved in attacks. He contributed to the opening goal in the 18th minute when his cross, following a fine initial save by Pickford on another effort, forced Mykolenko into an own goal under pressure, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. Momentum swung firmly Fulham’s way as Samuel Chukwueze tested Pickford soon after, and Emile Smith Rowe curled a brilliant effort onto the crossbar. Jimenez spurned a golden opportunity in the 31st minute, dragging his shot wide after excellent build-up play down the left, leaving Fulham rueing their lack of clinical finishing.

Everton had glimpses of threat, with Harrison Armstrong and Thierno Barry sighting efforts later in the half, but Fulham’s dominance was clear. They sustained possession and pressed relentlessly, yet the woodwork and wasteful finishing kept the scoreline at 1-0 at halftime. Mykolenko’s own goal, aided by a foul from Idrissa Gueye earlier, epitomized Everton’s shaky start, while Pickford’s interventions under the gaze of England head coach Thomas Tuchel proved vital.

Second Half: Everton’s Resilience Shines Through

The second period saw a revitalized Everton, who ramped up the intensity and pinned Fulham back. Substitutions played a key role for the Toffees; David Moyes, suspended and watching from the stands alongside Tuchel, introduced Beto and January loan signing Tyrique George, injecting fresh energy. Fulham made changes too, with fouls from Mykolenko (56th minute) and James Garner disrupting play, but Everton’s pressure mounted.

The equalizer arrived in the 75th minute, a well-worked move where Mykolenko atoned for his earlier error. Bursting beyond Joachim Andersen, he delivered a precise pull-back for Dewsbury-Hall to sweep home, leveling the score at 1-1. Bernd Leno might have done better, but the finish was clinical. Fulham pushed for a winner, but Everton’s momentum was unstoppable. Six minutes later, in the 83rd minute, Dewsbury-Hall’s corner caused chaos at the near post. O’Brien harassed Leno, who punched the ball weakly into his own net under minimal pressure, handing Everton a 2-1 lead.

Late drama ensued as Pickford received a yellow card in the 90+7th minute, but Everton held firm through seven minutes of added time, securing their sixth away win of the season and remaining unbeaten on the road since a 2-0 loss at Chelsea on December 13. Fulham’s inability to convert dominance into goals, combined with two own goals, proved costly.

Key Player Performances

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall emerged as Everton’s match-winner, scoring the equalizer and providing the corner for the winner, playing a crucial role in the comeback. His composure in the box and delivery from set-pieces turned the tide.

Vitalii Mykolenko had a tale of two halves for Everton; his 18th-minute own goal gifted Fulham the lead, but his redemption assist for Dewsbury-Hall’s goal highlighted his attacking prowess from left-back.

Jordan Pickford was pivotal for Everton, making crucial saves against Jimenez and Chukwueze, earning praise despite his late booking. His performance under Tuchel’s watchful eye bolstered Everton’s defense.

Bernd Leno endured a nightmare for Fulham, at fault for the winner with a poor punch that resulted in his own goal, compounding their woes.

Ryan Sessegnon shone for Fulham on the left, central to their first-half attacks and involved in the opener, though his side couldn’t capitalize.

Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe were bright sparks for the hosts, with Jimenez missing a sitter and Smith Rowe hitting the bar, underscoring Fulham’s wastefulness.

Jake O’Brien was a constant threat for Everton, hitting the post early and pressuring Leno for the winner, while substitutes Beto and Tyrique George added dynamism.

Tactical Insights and Managerial Perspectives

Fulham’s first-half dominance stemmed from patient build-up and exploitation of the left channel via Sessegnon, Chukwueze, and Smith Rowe, generating high-quality chances but lacking the killer instinct Marco Silva demanded. Everton, under suspended Moyes, showed resilience, transitioning to a more aggressive pressing game post-interval that overwhelmed Fulham’s defense.

The visitors’ set-piece execution proved decisive, with Dewsbury-Hall’s contributions exposing Fulham’s aerial frailties. Two own goals – Mykolenko’s sliced finish and Leno’s mishandled punch – were freakish but reflective of heightened tension. Everton’s away form, now four or five unbeaten on the road depending on the source, underscores their road warrior status.

League Standings Impact and Broader Context

This result propelled Everton into 7th or 8th place, with 37 points from 25 games (10 wins, 7 draws, 8 losses), edging ahead in the European qualification race, just two points behind higher rivals like Liverpool per some reports. Fulham slipped to 10-4-11, 34 points, level with AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland but behind on goal difference (-2).

For Fulham, the loss highlighted ongoing struggles to convert chances, sitting mid-table after a promising start. Everton, buoyed by the win, aim to revive home form against AFC Bournemouth midweek, building momentum under Moyes.

The match exemplified Premier League unpredictability: Fulham’s 1-0 halftime lead evaporated amid Everton’s grit. Attendance of 27,155 at Craven Cottage witnessed a classic, with highlights capturing the drama from kickoff at 3:00 PM UTC to full-time after 90+8 minutes.

Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead

Everton’s traveling fans celebrated wildly, marking a statement win in their European push. Silva will lament his side’s profligacy, particularly Jimenez’s miss and the woodwork’s interventions, while Moyes’ tactical tweaks via subs paid dividends. Official club reports detail further nuances, available via Premier League channels.

Key timeline: KO, Mykolenko OG (18′), HT 1-0, subs around 56′-69′, Dewsbury-Hall (75′), Leno OG (83′), Pickford yellow (90+7′), FT 1-2. Lineups featured Fulham’s Leno; Sessegnon, Cuenca, Andersen, Castagne; Berge, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez. Everton countered effectively.

This encounter reinforces Everton’s resurgence, positioning them strongly as the season progresses toward its climax.