Everton 2 Fulham 1: Louis Saha and Seamus Coleman on target as Toffees survive fightback

21 March 2011 09:06
[LNB] [LNB]  Fulham boss Mark Hughes warnedwatching England manager Fabio Capello that Bobby Zamora is not readyto start games, as the Italian pondered his squad to face Wales. [LNB]But Hughes was more alarmed abouthis team's 'passive' approach to a defeat that might have consequencesat the end of the season. [LNB]Seamus Coleman and Louis Sahaensured Everton's victory, before Zamora set up Clint Dempsey for areply that gave the Londoners belated hope. [LNB] Back of the net: Coleman (not pictured) opens the scoring at Goodison Park with an unstoppable header [LNB]The comeback was too late, and itwas England hopefuls Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines who emerged withmore credit than Zamora, having spent much of the match unruffled inEverton's defence. [LNB]A a sombre Hughes said: 'We were toopassive in the first half and that was disappointing. We were moreaggressive in the second half but that couldn't mask what had happenedbefore the interval. [LNB]'Zamora did fine when he came on assubstitute with half an hour to go, but it is still early days forBobby after his injury lay-off, and he is not quite ready to startgames yet.' [LNB] Lou beauty: Saha celebrates after scoring Everton's second goal of the game shortly after the interval [LNB]MATCH FACTSEverton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Neville, Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 77min), Osman; Cahill (Heitinga 69); Saha (Beckford 87). Subs (not used): Mucha, Gueye, Anichebe, Baxter. Booked: Osman, Hibbert. [LNB]Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Duff (Kakuta 75), Murphy, Etuhu (Zamora 60), Dempsey; Dembele, Johnson (Gudjohnsen 84). Subs (not used): Stockdale, Kelly, Greening, Davies. [LNB]Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).[LNB]Everton manager David Moyes was much more effusive about his own England players. [LNB]'I thought Jagielka played really well, as did Baines, who looked comfortable throughout.' [LNB]Left-back Baines set up Leon Osmanfor some trickery on the left before Coleman had time to pick his spotwith a firm 36th-minute header. [LNB]And Baines touched off a free-kickfor Saha to drill an explosive shot through Fulham legs just after halftime, the Frenchman celebrating his 250th Premier League appearance. [LNB]Unfortunately for Saha, he later sustained an ankle injury after falling awkwardly, and was carried off for X-ray. [LNB][LNB]Fulham's glimmer of hope came whenZamora cushioned Damien Duff's cross into the path of Dempsey, whorifled his side's reply with a precise left-foot shot. [LNB]Jagielka almost caught Capello's eye in attack, but his powerful header was cleared off the line by Carlos Salcido. [LNB] [LNB] Everton boss David Moyes criticised Sian Massey for being 'slow to put her flag up'. Sexist jibes at assistant ref Massey led to Sky sacking Andy Gray and Richard Keys, and Moyes said: 'The crowd were waiting for her. Sometimes you just think: Come on!'[LNB] [LNB]The Everton central defender will doubtless celebrate his new four-year contract with an England call-up this weekend. As for Hhughes and Zamora, Premier League survival must remain the priority. [LNB]And Fulham will have to do better than this if they want to avoid a very ugly finish to their season. [LNB] Moyes insists Everton have not done a deal with Man United for RodwellEverton boost as defender Jagielka signs new four-year deal at GoodisonAll the latest Everton news, features and opinionAll the latest Fulham news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Damien Duff, Phil Jagielka, Fabio Capello, Bobby Zamora, Andy Gray, Sian Massey, Richard Keys Places: United Kingdom, Wales

Source: Daily_Mail