MARCO SILVA’S European dreams with Fulham crumbled in three minutes.
His team were ahead and also on course to break their record for Premier League points – only to chuck it away in the second half as Everton struck twice in quick succession.
ReutersEverton’s second-half blitz put them out of reach of Fulham[/caption]
GettyFulham’s hopes of earning a European place took a hammer blow[/caption]
And to compound the frustration, boss Silva walked off to discover that Europa League rivals Brentford and Brighton both won to pull further ahead in the race for qualification.
Links with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have followed Silva around all week to go with the constant speculation about him quitting to join Tottenham – and he has done nothing to shut it down.
Results might do it for him as the season is in danger of fizzling out when just six weeks ago his team was chasing FA Cup glory and a rare shot at European football.
Everton meanwhile, are becoming the away day specialists as the campaign draws to an end.
They have won only three of their last 12 games but all have come on the road.
Professional pride and prize money are carrying the remaining games for boss David Moyes but this comeback win will feel special as he looks to the future and a new stadium with Everton next season.
Raul Jimenez put Fulham ahead in the 17th minute with his first goal in more than two months.
The Mexican veteran powered through the box to head in a cross from Emile Smith Rowe that gave keeper Pickford no chance from such close range.
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ReutersRaul Jimenez opened the scoring after 17 minutes[/caption]
Jimenez, 34, climbed above Vitalii Mykolenko to connect with impressive force from just outside the six yard box.
Mykolenko endured a frustrating first half with a number of errors until his luck changed in added time.
The Ukrainian blasted a shot from outside the box after Fulham failed to clear from a long throw and it cannoned off Andreas Pereira for Mykolenko to redeem himself and get Everton back on level terms.
Michael Keane made it 2-1 on 70 minutes with a classic set-piece headed goal at the back post from sub Dwight McNeil’s corner.
And a blunder by Bernd Leno in the 73rd put the seal on a dismal day when the Fulham keeper allowed a shot from Beto to squirm under his body and in.
Fulham thought they might get a consolation penalty in added time when Mykolenko appeared to handle the ball, but after lengthy VAR checks ref Michael Salisbury stuck with his original decision to deny it.
ReutersVitalii Mykolenko’s speculative effort took a huge deflection to draw Everton level[/caption]
GettyMichael Keane gave Everton the lead with a header at the back post[/caption]
AFPBeto sealed the victory with Everton’s third[/caption]
Fulham were denied a late penalty despite the referee viewing a handball decision on the screen
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