Beto put an exclamation point on a day full of late Premier League drama when his stoppage-time header gave Everton a 1-1 draw with Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Alex Iwobi’s second-half goal looked to be all Fulham needed to defeat the Toffees in a tight affair at Goodison Park, and the Nigerian didn’t celebrate the goal against his former club.
But veteran fullback Ashley Young’s terrific cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time served as the perfect invitation for Beto to nod home.
Everton run their unbeaten Premier League run to five matches and move into 15th place with nine points, ahead of West Ham on goal differential and six points clear of 18th-place Crystal Palace.
The point means Fulham are 12th with 12 points, behind Bournemouth and Newcastle United on tiebreakers.
A minute for Ashley Young
The synopsis of this actual game is that Fulham got Sean Dyche’d. The Cottagers were superior but only found one way through Everton’s stubborn back line, and the Toffees scrapped a goal and a point at the death. It happens, but what doesn’t happen every month is a fullback playing 90 minutes at the age of 39. Ashley Young will turn 40 in July, but has three assists this season including his savvy cross for Beto’s stoppage-time equalizer. Young is now tied with Mohamed Salah and Thierry Henry for the 13th-most assists in Premier League history, and he’s six away from David Beckham in 10th. Given Everton’s finishing, it’s unlikely he gets near Golden Balls this season but after a dicey 2023-24, but he looks like he can play for a while, doesn’t it? Young’s 1.0 xA trails only Dwight McNeil on the Toffees.
Everton vs Fulham player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Everton vs Fulham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Everton vs Fulham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Everton visit Southampton at 11am ET Saturday, while Fulham return to Craven Cottage for a 3pm kickoff with Brentford on Monday, November 4.
How to watch Everton vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Saturday (October 26)
Venue: Goodison Park — Liverpool
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
Everton vs Fulham final score: 1-1
Alex Iwobi 61', Beto 90+5'
Everton vs Fulham live updates — By Nick Mendola
Beto goal! Everton 0-1 Fulham (90+5')
The day of late heroics continues in the Premier League.
Ashley Young, as he’s done so many times in his endless career, sends a great cross toward goal.
Beto rises high and puts the header home, celebrating wildly as the Toffees look set to run their unbeaten streak to five in Premier League play.
Alex Iwobi goal — Everton 0-1 Fulham (61st minute)
He’s not going to celebrate against his former team, but we wish he could because this was a very good goal from Alex Iwobi.
Emile Smith Rowe’s splendid dribble in and out of danger sees him lay off for the Nigerian, who buries a shot past the arms of a flying Jordan Pickford.
Hopefully that’s the proper opening this game needed because it’s certainly the first flash point that isn’t an offside goal.
Halftime — Everton 0-0 Fulham
The Cottagers were the more threatening side and kept the ball, but we know the Toffees are comfortable with that and the hosts are the side to have seen a goal taken off the board.
As they say, and we often quote them, it’s all to play for in the second half.
Fulham should be in front!
Adama Traore stings Pickford’s gloves from close range, and Fulham reload.
This time it’s Andreas Pereira floating a cross from the right, and jimenez nods down to Emile Smith Rowe but the midfielder can’t get his foot above the ball for his side volley attempt and it pops over the frame.
Scoreless inside the first half-hour.
Early chance for Raul Jimenez
Kenny Tete floats a compelling cross from the right, and Raul Jimenez takes it down centrally.
But the Mexican has to snap off a shot quickly and hits a medium-rare effort right to Jordan Pickford in the sixth minute.
Everton lineup
Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Gana Gueye, Harrison, Ndiaye, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin
Fulham lineup
Leno, Tete, Bassey, Diop, Robinson, Berge, Pereira, Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Jimenez.
Everton team news, focus
Everton have some big players out with Garner, Iroegbunam, and Chermiti all missing. Broja, on loan from Chelsea, will also add an extra option to their attack when he returns and considering all of the financial issues, Everton’s squad is deeper than it has been for the last few seasons. Calvert-Lewin will lead the line and Ndiaye and McNeil are tasked with creating chances, which they’ve done superbly in recent weeks.
OUT: Armando Broja (calf), Youssef Chermiti (ankle), Dele Alli (groin), Timothy Iroegbunam (ankle), James Garner (back)
Fulham team news, focus
The Cottagers have a very settled lineup but they will have to replace Andersen in central defense as he’s suspended. Iwobi, Smith Rowe and Traore have been supporting Jimenez well and Silva is likely to roll out that attacking quartet once again.
OUT: Sasa Lukic (shoulder), Joachim Andersen (suspension), Timothy Castagne (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Carlos Vinicius (calf), Jorge Cuenca (ankle)
Everton vs Fulham prediction
This feels like both teams will show their counter attacks the respect they deserve and it will be a bit of a stalemate for most of this game. Everton will just edge it with their extra confidence. Everton 2-1 Fulham.
