Fulham 1-2 Everton Player Ratings: Late Own Goal Seal Comeback Win for Visitors

What a bizarre and dramatic encounter we witnessed at Craven Cottage. Fulham will be kicking themselves, wondering how they let this one slip. They looked firmly in control after an unfortunate own goal from Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko gave them the lead. It felt like their game to lose.

From our perspective, the home side created chance after chance. Raúl Jiménez, Samuel Chukwueze, and Emile Smith Rowe all tested the resilience of Jordan Pickford. The woodwork was rattled not once, but twice, first by a fierce strike from Ryan Sessegnon and then by a long-range effort from Chukwueze. It just seemed like it wasn't their day in front of goal.

But football is a cruel game. Everton, who looked down and out, showed incredible spirit. They weathered the storm and clawed their way back. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sparked the revival with a brilliant finish. Then, in a cruel twist of fate for Fulham, a second own goal, this time from keeper Bernd Leno, sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win for the Toffees in this Premier League clash. What a rollercoaster of a match.

Fulham Player Ratings vs Everton

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno - 5.5: What can you even say? He made a couple of decent saves and his distribution was fine. But his afternoon was defined by that horrific own goal. It was a cruel, decisive moment that cost his team the game. From our perspective, he just looked devastated. A tough day for the German keeper.

Defenders

Joachim Andersen - 6.0: The captain had a mixed performance. He was busy, making tackles and interceptions, but the defence he led crumbled under pressure. He also missed a headed chance that could have changed things. It wasn't the commanding display we expect from him. He seemed frustrated by the end.

Jorge Cuenca - 5.5: A difficult outing for the defender. He made plenty of clearances but also picked up a yellow card and was part of a backline that conceded twice. He struggled to contain Everton's resurgent attack in the second half. A day he will want to move on from quickly.

Timothy Castagne - 5.0: A performance to forget for the fullback. He committed several needless fouls and looked off the pace defensively. He offered very little going forward before being substituted. We noticed he was struggling to cope with Everton's wide players throughout.

Ryan Sessegnon - 6.5: One of Fulham's brighter sparks. He was a constant threat down the left flank, creating a big chance and smashing a shot against the crossbar. His final ball wasn't always perfect, and he lost possession a bit too often. Still, his attacking intent was a positive on a disappointing day.

Midfielders

Harry Wilson - 6.0: A standard, workmanlike performance. He was involved in the play and put in a few crosses, but he lacked a decisive touch. He worked hard for the team but failed to produce a moment of magic when it was needed. Solid, but unspectacular.

Sander Berge - 6.0: Battled hard in the engine room and won his share of duels. He had a couple of shots but couldn't really assert his dominance on the game. When Everton turned up the heat, he and the midfield struggled to regain control. A decent effort but not enough.

Alex Iwobi - 7.0: Probably Fulham's most composed player. His passing was crisp and accurate, and he kept things moving in midfield. He created a couple of decent opportunities for his teammates. What stood out to us was his calmness on the ball, even as the game became chaotic.

Emile Smith Rowe - 7.0: He was a real livewire. He created a gilt-edged chance for Jiménez and had a good shot saved by Pickford. His energy and drive were a major problem for Everton in the first half. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he looked like one of Fulham's most likely sources of a goal.

Forwards

Raúl Jiménez - 6.0: A deeply frustrating afternoon for the striker. His hold-up play was strong, but his finishing was not. He had a big chance saved and missed another. You could see the exasperation on his face. He worked tirelessly but just couldn't provide the goal his team needed.

Samuel Chukwueze - 7.0: So dangerous and unpredictable. He had a shot saved, created a chance, and was desperately unlucky to see his effort hit the woodwork. He caused all sorts of problems for the Everton defence with his direct running. Faded a little before he was taken off but a very bright performance.

Substitutes

Rodrigo Muniz, Oscar Bobb, Kenny Tete: The substitutes were brought on to try and salvage something from the game. They provided fresh legs but were unable to make a decisive impact in the limited time they had. The game's momentum had already swung decisively in Everton's favour.

Manager

M. Saraiva Da Silva - 6.0: He'll be tearing his hair out. His team started brilliantly, dominated the first half, and created more than enough chances to win comfortably. He can't legislate for missed chances and two bizarre own goals. His substitutions felt a bit reactive, but it's hard to blame him for a loss that felt like a freak occurrence.

Everton Player Ratings vs Fulham

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford - 7.5: Everton wouldn't have been in a position to win this without him. He made two massive saves in the first half to keep the deficit at one. His command of his box was excellent. Could do nothing about the own goal. A top-class goalkeeping display that proved crucial.

Defenders

Michael Keane - 7.0: A really solid, old-school defender's performance. He was a rock at the back, making tackles and crucial clearances. After a shaky start for the team, he grew into the game and looked more and more commanding. A reliable presence when his team needed one.

James Tarkowski - 5.5: A surprisingly off-day for the captain. He made an error that led to a Fulham shot and missed a sitter from a corner. From our perspective, he just didn't look his usual, assured self. A rare poor performance from a player who is normally so dependable.

Jake O'Brien - 8.0: A colossal performance. He was dominant in the air and on the ground, winning the majority of his duels. He was also a major threat in the opposition box, hitting the post early on. He played with a maturity beyond his years and was a standout performer for the Toffees.

Vitaliy Mykolenko - 6.5: The ultimate game of two halves. He scored a truly unfortunate own goal that put his team on the back foot. However, he showed incredible character to bounce back and provide a pinpoint assist for the equalizer. His redemption arc was a key storyline of the match.

Midfielders

Iliman Ndiaye - 6.0: A tidy but quiet game. He kept possession well with high pass accuracy but struggled to make a real impact in the final third. He worked hard for the team, but the game largely passed him by from an attacking standpoint. A functional, if forgettable, performance.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 8.5: Our man of the match. He was the driving force behind the comeback. He scored the all-important equalizer with a composed finish and was a constant source of energy and creativity from midfield. An absolutely brilliant display, he single-handedly dragged his team back into the contest. The highest-rated player on the pitch.

Idrissa Gueye - 7.0: Classic Gueye. He was tenacious in the tackle, broke up play effectively, and was incredibly tidy in possession. He provided the defensive shield that allowed the more creative players to flourish. Picked up his customary yellow card but was vital to Everton's midfield control.

James Garner - 8.0: His delivery was simply outstanding. From set-pieces and open play, his crosses caused chaos in the Fulham defence. He created four chances, including a big one, and his quality on the ball was evident throughout. A fantastic creative performance.

Harrison Armstrong - 7.0: A bundle of energy. He worked tirelessly up and down the wing, drawing numerous fouls and putting the Fulham defence under pressure. While his end product was sometimes lacking, his work rate and tenacity were infectious and crucial to Everton's high-energy approach.

Forwards

Thierno Barry - 5.5: It just wasn't his day. He struggled to get into the game, missed a big chance with a header, and was caught offside. He put in a shift but lacked the clinical edge required. It was no surprise when he was substituted in the second half.

Substitutes

Beto, Tyrique George, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tim Iroegbunam: The changes made by Moyes worked well. They brought fresh energy and helped Everton see out a vital victory. Their contributions were important in managing the final stages of the game after taking the lead.

Manager

D. Moyes - 7.5: A fantastic result that speaks volumes about the character he has instilled in this team. His side looked second-best in the first half but didn't panic. They came out with renewed purpose and fought their way to a win. A great tactical and motivational victory for the manager.