Everton beats Fulham 2-1 in Premier League

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LIVERPOOL, England (AP)—Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha scored Saturday to give Everton a 2-1 win over Fulham and make sure David Moyes began his 10th year as Everton manager the same way he started his first—by beating the London club.

Coleman gave Everton the lead with a well-placed header 10 minutes before the break, and Saha doubled the lead over his former club from a free kick early in the second half.

Clint Dempsey pulled one back in the 62nd, but Bobby Zamora failed to make the most of a headed chance for an equalizer.

The game began without a sense of urgency from either side, and although Fulham showed more spirit in the second half the team never looked likely to earn a first win at Goodison Park in 23 league visits

Everton could have increased its winning margin had Carlos Salcido not produced a fine headed clearance off the line from Phil Jagielka late on, as the team repeated the victory over the Cottagers in Moyes’ first match just over nine years ago.

The only drawback was that Saha had to be taken off on a stretcher in the closing minutes when he landed awkwardly after going up for a header.

Everton made the breakthrough after Tim Cahill had a shot blocked and the ball rolled out to Leighton Baines on the left. Baines cut it back inside for Osman and the midfielder lifted a cross to the back the post for Coleman to place a firm header back across goal and beyond Schwarzer.

Everton took a firm grip on the game four minutes into the second half after Rodwell was brought down just outside the area by Dickson Etuhu.

Baines tapped the free kick to Saha and the Frenchman blasted a low shot through the wall for his 10th goal of the season.

Fulham tried to respond but Etuhu’s shot into a crowded area was blocked and Damien Duff fired the rebound straight at Tim Howard.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes decided to make a change and was instantly rewarded after sending on Bobby Zamora, still being eased back into action after a broken leg, for Etuhu just before the hour.

Zamora, with his back to the goal, laid off a cross from Duff and the inrushing Dempsey struck a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Jagielka almost made the game safe for Everton with an inch-perfect header but Salcido did brilliantly to again head away from just inside the post.