Fulham in need of a win….but Everton’s Goodison Park not usually a happy hunting ground

Fulham are aiming to avoid a fifth straight Premier League defeat when they head to Everton on Saturday.

The Whites have dropped to 10th in the table and have not won since a smash-and-grab raid at Brighton on February 18.

Marco Silva’s side look a different animal – a timid one – without suspended centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian striker’s eight-game ban for his red card at Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals is looking more costly with each passing match.
Mitrovic was watching from the Craven Cottage balcony as Fulham toiled in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United.

The Whites attempted 36 open-play crosses – the second highest amount of any Premier League side this season – but Carlos Vinicius failed to win a single aerial duel.
Instead it turned largely into heading practise for Hammers centre-backs Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.

Vinicius did supply an excellent through ball for Andreas Pereira in the second half but the Brazilian’s poor first touch allowed Lukasz Fabianski to get a glove on the ball and prevent the Fulham playmaker rounding him.

The west Londoners have a miserable record at Goodison Park, losing 14 of their last 15 league matches there.

Josh Maja’s double earned Fulham maximum points in February 2021 – their first win at Everton’s home since 1975.

Fulham are reportedly set to take Leeds United’s place in the Premier League’s American pre-season tournament at the end of July. Aston Villa, Brighton, Chelsea and Newcastle are also expected to feature.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD