Fulham 0-0 Everton: Jordan Pickford helps visitors earn point at Craven Cottage

Fulham extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to four matches but had to be content with just a point following another inspired display by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

England’s number one pulled off a string of fine saves to earn the visitors a fourth clean sheet of the season.

Fulham’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic had 10 efforts on goal but through a combination of good goalkeeping and errant finishing was unable to add to his tally of nine goals for the campaign.

Frank Lampard believed the Serbia striker was lucky to see out the 90 minutes after escaping with just a yellow card following a strong first-half challenge on Idrissa Gueye.

“It was a red card for Mitrovic,” argued the Everton manager. “I have nothing against him but he knew, he put his arm up straight away. VAR is there to deal with these things.”

Willian was twice denied by Pickford on what was his 265th Premier League appearance, the most for any Brazilian in the English top flight.

And the Cottagers had two penalty shouts turned down either side of the break, while Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin had an effort ruled out for a clear offside.

The point moved last season’s Championship winners back into seventh place, while Everton are 12th.

Free-scoring Fulham kept at bay

Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham had scored more than Fulham’s 22 goals in the Premier League going into this weekend’s fixtures.

Manager Marco Silva, facing Everton for the first time since being sacked by them in December 2019, says Fulham’s form is merely a continuation of the attacking philosophy he put in place as they rattled in 106 goals on their way to the Championship title last season.

But Pickford proved his rightful place as England’s top stopper to keep Silva’s free-scoring side at bay.

He produced three saves in quick succession in a breathless start to the game, tipping over Willian’s shot on the turn and Mitrovic’s looping header before palming away a curling long-range effort from Harrison Reed.

Everton striker Calvert-Lewin, whose return to the side following injury was hoped would boost their tally of just 11 goals in 13 games, also helped keep Fulham out, producing a headed goalline clearance.

When Fulham did manage to breach the Everton rear-guard, Tim Ream’s free header from Andreas Pereira’s centre bounced just wide of Pickford’s far post.

Referee John Brooks, backed up by brief VAR checks, ruled out two claims for Fulham penalties either side of the break – the first after James Tarkowski tangled with Bobby Decordova-Reid in the box, the second when Willian went down following a stretched challenge from Gueye.

The pace noticeably dropped as Everton’s own forays up-field tailed off and, despite their endeavour, Fulham’s run of scoring in every home game of the season came to an end.

Everton’s defensive display combined with toothless attack

Mitrovic provided the game’s only flashpoint midway through the first half, triggering a furious reaction from the Everton manager on the touchline after his studs-up tackle connected with Gueye’s right ankle.

The Serb claimed it was a genuine, if clumsy, attempt to win the ball, but Lampard felt it warranted a stronger punishment.

“Last year our midfielder Allan got a yellow, it was upgraded to red and he got a four-game ban. It was nowhere near as forceful as that one tonight. It was a red card and we haven’t had those decisions this year,” said the Everton boss.

It was an uncharacteristic moment in what was an otherwise good-spirited match that acted as a microcosm of all that has been good and bad in the Merseysiders’ start to the season.

A resolute defensive display was undermined by a toothless attack as Lampard’s side failed to score for the 11th time in his 31 Premier League games in charge.

Calvert-Lewin’s third start after returning from injury looked to have given the visitors a fresh impetus early on.

Top scorer Anthony Gordon’s close-range shot was blocked by Antonee Robinson and Bernd Leno tipped over Demarai Gray’s stinging drive from the edge of the box in the opening five minutes.

Gray also set up a good scoring chance for Calvert-Lewin, who just failed to connect properly with his superb low cross, while Tarkowski put a strong header straight at Leno.

But in the closing stages Lampard’s side looked to be more than happy to take the point, moving on to next Saturday’s visit of Leicester.

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