Everton Come From Behind to Beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage as Dewsbury-Hall Equalises and Leno Own Goal Sends Toffees Into European Places

Football can be cruel like that.

One minute you’re cruising, the crowd is buzzing, everything feels under control… and then suddenly, it all unravels.

That was Fulham’s afternoon at Craven Cottage, as Everton came from behind to grab a huge 2-1 win that pushes them right into the European conversation.

The Whites started brightly, but the visitors finished stronger — and that’s what mattered.

Both teams began the day level on 34 points, sitting ninth and tenth.

By full-time, Everton had made the bigger statement.

A Bright Fulham Start That Looked So Promising

For the first half, Fulham looked like the sharper side.

Marco Silva’s team played with confidence, moving the ball quickly and creating chances that had the home fans believing.

Raúl Jiménez broke the deadlock with a well-taken opener, and honestly, Fulham could have had more.

Samuel Chukwueze was electric, Harry Wilson was involved, and Emile Smith Rowe looked lively between the lines.

If it weren’t for Jordan Pickford making key stops, Fulham might have gone into the break comfortably ahead.

Instead, they only had one goal — and that would come back to haunt them.

Everton’s Second-Half Response Was a Completely Different Story

Whatever was said in Everton’s dressing room at half-time clearly worked.

The Toffees came out looking like a different team — more aggressive, more direct, and far more urgent.

Fulham, meanwhile, began to lose control in midfield, giving the ball away far too easily.

Everton started to dominate territory, sending crosses into the box and piling pressure on Fulham’s back line.

The equaliser didn’t feel like a surprise when it arrived.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall calmly side-footed home in the 74th minute, rewarding Everton’s relentless push.

From that moment, it felt like Fulham were hanging on.

The Decisive Moment: Leno’s Costly Error

The winner came in the kind of messy, scrappy way that often decides tight Premier League matches.

A corner was swung in, bodies crowded the six-yard box, and under pressure from Jake O’Brien, Bernd Leno made a clumsy punch… straight into his own net.

An own goal. A sickening one for Fulham.

Everton’s away end erupted. Fulham’s supporters could barely believe what they were seeing.

And with Everton’s reputation for defensive discipline, the game was effectively over.

Moyes Watching Proudly as Everton Dream of Europe Again

One of the more striking images from the afternoon was David Moyes watching on from the stands, soaking it all in.

Everton’s rise under Moyes has been one of the quieter success stories of the season.

Just over a year ago, the club were sitting dangerously close to relegation in 17th place.

Now, they’re seventh — looking up rather than down, and daring to think about European football returning to Goodison Park.

It’s no fluke either.

Only Arsenal have conceded fewer away goals this season than Everton, which tells you everything about how hard they are to break down once they get ahead.

Marco Silva Left Frustrated as Fulham Fade Again

For Fulham, this was another painful example of a game slipping away.

Silva looked stunned at full-time, head down, knowing his team had been the better side early on — but completely lost their grip after the break.

The players who shone in the first half faded badly in the second.

Fulham’s midfield couldn’t keep the ball, and their defence struggled under Everton’s aerial bombardment.

Silva tried to change things, even handing young debutant Oscar Bobb minutes, but nothing stopped the momentum swinging Everton’s way.

It’s becoming a pattern too — Fulham have now lost multiple matches this season to late goals.

Turn those draws into wins, and they’d be the ones sitting in the European places.

Instead, they remain stuck in mid-table.

Chukwueze Shows Why Proper Wingers Still Matter

Even in defeat, Samuel Chukwueze was Fulham’s standout performer.

The Nigerian winger played with real old-school fearlessness, running directly at defenders and causing chaos down the flank.

He set up the opening goal with a lovely dinked pass, then nearly produced a goal of the season contender when his long-range strike crashed off the crossbar.

In an era where wide players often drift inside, Chukwueze reminded everyone what a true touchline winger looks like.

Fulham are reportedly obliged to sign him permanently for £22 million this summer — and based on this display, that feels like a bargain.

What’s Next?

Everton will head into their next fixtures full of belief.

With their defence solid and confidence growing, the dream of European football is suddenly realistic — not just talk.

Fulham, meanwhile, need answers quickly.

Their first-half quality is clear, but games are 90 minutes, and Silva will be desperate to stop these familiar late collapses.

If they can’t learn to kill matches off, mid-table safety is all they’ll have to show for another season.

Summary

Fulham started strongly and deserved their early lead through Jiménez, but Everton completely flipped the match after half-time.

Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser was the reward for sustained pressure, and Leno’s unfortunate own goal sealed a dramatic comeback win.

Moyes’ Everton continue their impressive rise toward the European spots, while Fulham are left frustrated by yet another match that slipped away late on.