Everton 2 Fulham 1:THERE HAD been only glimmers of the form that ignited Everton on his first brief spell in English football but Landon Donovan showed why he was coaxed into a return from LA Galaxy as he guided David Moyes' team into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Fulham.
The USA captain, back on Merseyside for a second loan spell, created both Everton goals as headers from Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini transformed a tie that had threatened to increase the despondency that has settled on Goodison Park of late. Donovan’s slow-burning second stint has been caused by the weaknesses around him more than any failing on his part but, along with Fellaini, he was commanding in this victory.
The omnipresent Howard Webb, who appears to have been the only referee in employment this week, was booed by the home crowd before the tie had begun. He soon gave Goodison Park a genuine reason to rue his appointment. After Everton had dominated the opening exchanges, Fulham profited in their very first attack. Danny Murphy sprayed a perfect crossfield pass to John Arne Riise, who drew Tim Howard out of position and cut the ball back for Damien Duff. Duff’s shot was goalbound until John Heitinga dived in to block but did so with a raised arm. It was debateable, but the penalty was given immediately. Murphy duly wrong-footed Howard from the spot.
Everton should have equalised minutes later when Irish central defender Shane Duffy headed a Magaye Gueye corner wide from four yards out. But despite that setback, and concerns that this was to be another gruelling night in front of goal for Everton, the home side responded impressively.
Three corners in two minutes produced chances for Gueye, Tim Cahill and a second for Duffy but Fulham held firm, Stephen Kelly producing a superb headed clearance.
Everton levelled through a most unlikely source, their on-loan centre-forward Stracqualursi. Donovan checked inside and delivered an inviting left-foot cross from the right wing and Stracqualursi converted a towering header into the bottom corner for his first goal in English football.
Donovan tested Stockdale from 25 yards and Cahill went close as Everton continued to press, but Fulham almost scored against the run of play once more when Duff’s shot fell to Bryan Ruiz inside the area. His snap-shot was too close to Howard to cause any problems for the American keeper.
Fulham were content to absorb Everton’s pressure and hit through the pace of Andrew Johnson and the invention of Ruiz plus Clint Dempsey on the counter-attack but could not match the quality of Donovan’s delivery. His quick thinking at a free-kick on the right saw Fellaini sent a looping header over David Stockdale and the American midfielder also teed-up Cahill for a header that the Fulham goalkeeper tipped on to the bar.
EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Duffy, Heitinga, Baines, Donovan,Gibson, Fellaini, Gueye (Drenthe 68), Cahill, Stracqualursi (Anichebe 83). Subs not used: Hahnemann, Hibbert, Saha, Vellios, Baxter. Booked: Heitinga, Gibson, Cahill.
FULHAM: Stockdale, Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Duff (Zamora 79), Murphy (Trotta 87), Baird (Sidwell 82), Ruiz, Dempsey, Johnson. Subs not used: Etheridge, Senderos, Frei, Davies. Booked: Baird, Dempsey.
Referee: H Webb.
