After giving up a 1-0 half-time lead and trailing in the 90th minute, Fulham took advantage of a little luck and great run by Steve Sidwell to steal a point late against Everton at Craven Cottage. Marouane Fellaini's brace look to have Everton on their way to the three points, but poor marking late cost the Toffees full points.
Fulham vs. Everton: Final score 2-2, Sidwell saves a point for the Cottagers
Steve Sidwell’s 90th minute tap-in allowed Fulham to salvage a point after giving up a halftime lead with two goals from Marouane Fellaini.
Scott Heavey
Everton started the better side so true to form, they conceded the first goal. It all started when Phil Neville made a needless challenge 25 yards from goal on Dimitar Berbatov, giving Fulham a dangerous set piece opportunity that they didn't waste. Tim Howard got his hand on Bryan Ruiz's free kick, but the ball deflected off the post and in to the net, giving the Cottagers the early 1-0 lead. Howard was credited with an own-goal on the play, no doubt he'll be thrilled especially since it was Fulham's first attempt on goal in the match.
In the 55th minute, Kevin Mirallas got loose on the right side and was allowed to run in towards goal along the end line before finding Fellaini in space about 6 yards out. Fellaini calmly side-footed Mirallas's pass in to the back of the net, finally pulling Everton even at 1-1. I say finally because Everton were really the dominate side and they were likely more relieved than excited to finally get on the scoreboard.
Fellaini was at it again for Everton in the 72nd minute, with a bit of indivual brilliance from Fellaini. The giant Belgian chested down a long pass from Phil Jagielka in the box, shrugging off the challenge of Aaron Hughes as he turned and beat Mark Schwarzer with a low shot in to the right side corner of the net.
Fellaini nearly finshed the hat trick in the 83rd minute when his shot from the left deflected off Brede Hangeland and off the far post. The play was set-up thanks to a turnover by Berbatov that allowed Leon Osman to find Fellaini in space in the Fulham box on a quick counter.
It turned out to be a costly miss.
Fulham stole a point back late thanks to Steve Sidwell. After Berbatov completely mis-hit a fantastic cross in the box, Sidwell poked the ball in to the open net after getting inside position on Seamus Coleman who made a mess of his marking at the far post.
It’s a frustrating result for Everton who completely dominated Fulham, out-shooting the Cottagers 27-9 and allowing Fulham to score on two of their three shots on target.
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