Fulham vs Everton Player Ratings: Dewsbury-Hall powers turnaround at Craven Cottage

Everton came back from a goal down to secure a splendid 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall powered the second-half turnaround in a game that saw two own goals. Vitalii Mykolenko inadvertently deflected the ball in after the rebound off Jordan Pickford's initial save for Fulham’s opener, while Bernd Leno punched the ball into his own net off Dewsbury-Hall’s corner.

Everton were under the cosh in the first half at Craven Cottage. After Jake O’Brien struck the far post from a corner, the hosts grew into the game. After taking the lead, the Cottagers continued to press forward with Ryan Sessegnon threatening from the left with dangerous crosses and cutbacks.

Jimenez had another glorious chance from close range but dragged his shot wide off target while Chukwueze also struck the crossbar shortly before half-time

The second half, however, was a different story with the Blues pressing closer to Fulham’s goal and creating strong openings. Mykolenko showed a great bit of skill to create separation and then find Dewsbury-Hall for the equaliser. O’Brien then held his ground against Leno, which led to the winner off Dewsbury-Hall’s corner seven minutes before the end of regulation time.

As things stand, the result takes Everton to seventh in the league table with 37 points.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 2-1 win over Fulham:

Jordan Pickford: 7.5

Pickford was unfortunate to concede the opener after making a great save off Raul Jimenez the first time, even though the ball took a rebound before entering the net off Mykolenko.

He also produced a brilliant save off Samuel Chukwueze and made himself big to deny Emile Smith Rowe from close range.

Jake O’Brien: 7

O’Brien registered early involvement in both boxes, hitting Fulham’s far post from a corner while heading out Sander Berge’s lofted header from Pickford’s goal. There was a breakdown in communication between O’Brien and Tarkowski which led to a glorious opportunity for Jimenez from close range. The Irish international held his ground strongly up against Leno from the corner which led to the Fulham goalkeeper turning the ball into his own net.

James Tarkowski: 5

There was a lot left to be desired from Everton’s centre-halves, especially in the first half. Tarkowski failed to track Smith Rowe’s run into the box but Pickford was on hand to make a great save. His sideways pass to O’Brien also invited danger in front of goal and he received a yellow for holding back Jimenez blatantly.

Michael Keane: 5

Not the best of games for Keane whose headed clearances lacked conviction and invited danger.

Vitalii Mykolenko (replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite at 85’): 6.5

Mykolenko was unfortunate not to be able to get out of the way for the own goal in the first half. He was also guilty of a few misplaced passes but the Ukrainian full-back made up for it with a great bit of skill in the opposition box to set up Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser.

Idrissa Gueye: 5

Gana Gueye had a rather passive afternoon at Craven Cottage today where he neither excelled at providing defensive cover, nor at setting up chances at the other end. Went into the referee’s book in the buildup to Fulham’s opener

James Garner: 7

By far, Everton’s best midfielder today, Garner showed determination to keep pushing in the first half. He sent a great diagonal ball to Mykolenko in the first quarter and threatened from set-pieces.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (replaced by Tim Iroegbunam at 90+5’): 8

Dewsbury-Hall almost set up Everton’s equaliser towards the end of the first half. He controlled the ball well before spraying a fantastic pass to Barry on the half turn, however, the Frenchman couldn’t get convincing contact on it

Everton’s number 22, however, finished off Mykolenko’s cutback to score the equaliser. He then delivered the corner for the winning goal.

Iliman Ndiaye: 6

Ndiaye used his silky feet to fashion out an opening for Harrison Armstrong. Kept switching between the left and right flanks during the game but didn’t have the biggest impact today.

Thierno Barry (replaced by Beto at 68’): 4.5

Barry was unable to get a proper contact on Dewsbury-Hall’s ball which could’ve been the equaliser for the Blues before the break. He also had a decent half-chance fashioned out by Ndiaye in the second 45 but couldn’t sort his feet out in time. Scrappy afternoon for the youngster.

Harrison Armstrong (replaced by Tyrique George at 68’): 6.5

Playing on the wings is probably not the best use of Armstrong’s talents. The teenager started on the left, where some of his deft touches and combinations stood out, before drifting on to the right. Armstrong also had a chance following a great bit of play from Ndiaye but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

Substitutions

Beto: 5

Beto almost managed to get in a 1v1 with the goalkeeper using his strength and pace shortly after coming on.

Tyrique George: 6.5

The Deadline Day signing made a strong impression on his Everton debut! He brought pace and energy and contributed to the buildup to Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser.

Jarrad Branthwaite: N/A

Played at left-back again to protect the lead in the final minutes.

Tim Iroegbunam: N/A

Brought on in injury time.

Reader Comments (44)

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Paul Murray 1 Posted 07/02/2026 at 19:03:35

Drop the half marks, for fuck's sake.

Brilliant second-half performance, poor first. Centre-backs were awful and Gueye and Barry no more than 5 for them -- as you use half marks, 4.5 each.

Man of the Match, I agree, Dewsbury-Hall, and a decent looking cameo from George. Armstrong should be in central midfield instead of Gueye for me.

Mark Wynne 2 Posted 07/02/2026 at 19:45:11

Had to check for a moment that I hadn't accidentally logged on to The Sun website.

Tony Abrahams 3 Posted 07/02/2026 at 19:47:41

Other than one lovely little take and brilliantly driven cross, I thought Dewsbury-Hallwas very poor in the first half, but he had a much better second half and delivered two goals, so I can understand his high mark.

I thought George did very well on his debut; I thought Pickford made a great save not long after they had scored, and I thought every single Everton player really improved in the second half.

Martin Reppion 4 Posted 07/02/2026 at 20:25:51

Specialising in the bleeding obvious... once again, much better after the half-time re-sort.

Garner was unusually quiet, which probably didn't do his World Cup chances much good.

Pickford was outstanding and kept us in the game.

It is looking like it is time to try the options for replacing Gana Gueye. Not sure if it would be Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall or Armstrong, but any of them must be worth a try there.

And although he had a good game, I'd still replace O'Brien with Patterson and make a decision on the best two centre-backs.

Now, it's off to the pub to celebrate this and the England trouncing of Wales in the Six Nations.

Paul Kossoff 6 Posted 08/02/2026 at 00:35:50

Don't know how we won that but a win's a win.

I'll take it and l'll see thee. coyb.

Jason Hewly 7 Posted 08/02/2026 at 01:34:27

Dewsbury-Hall... His facial hair is worthy of Deadwood.

So glad he mosied on in to our town. Absolutely key to this team.

Mike Gaynes 8 Posted 08/02/2026 at 02:00:20

Superb, Jason. LOL.

Not many remember Deadwood but it is forever a favourite of mine.

Si Cooper 9 Posted 08/02/2026 at 02:37:55

Mike G,

I don't know where Jason is based but ‘Deadwood' is currently getting a daily airing on one of the UK Sky channels, so he may not be dredging his memory to come up with the comparison.

Bob Parrington 10 Posted 08/02/2026 at 03:39:52

Tony @ 3. You nailed it mate. I thought Dewsbury-Hall was pretty awful in the first half but was like a completely different player in the second.

Mike @ 8. I'm getting on in years but still waiting for that there dang stage!

Paul Griffiths 11 Posted 08/02/2026 at 04:13:10

Everyone who watched Deadwood remembers Deadwood.

Pickford 7: O'Brien 6: Tarkowski 4: Keane 4.5: Mykolenko 7: Gana 4: Garner 7: Dewsbury-Hall 7.5: Ndiaye 5: Barry 4: Armstrong 6: Beto 4: George 6.

The Tarkowski (what a sitter) and Keane partnership needs to be broken.

Gana was shocking and needs to be benched. The same could be said about Ndiaye who has been far below his normal par in his three matches since coming back from the shameful walk-off-the-pitch travesty.

Armstrong needs to play in the middle. Barry is Barry and, if he does not score, he just looks poor.

I thought that George had a few promising moments. Dewsbury-Hall had a smashing second half. Mykolenko to his absolute credit recovered strongly after his own-goal.

Jordan Pickford just keeps on showing why he is class. Mr. consistent Garner is someone I really admire, though he did not shine too brightly today in front of Tuchel.

We had a poor first half apart from the opening 5 minutes or so, yet both sides had eight shots in that half and two on target.

Moyes deserves credit. We turned things round in the second half and I think that Dewsbury-Hall was instrumental in that but so, too, was Moyes who seems to have said the right words at half-time (though he must have been knackered climbing down from his perch in the high heavens to the dressing room) and we scored 7 minutes or so after his on this occasion decently timed subs.

Delighted with the win. Still concerned about the gaffer's starting selections.

Philip Devlin 13 Posted 08/02/2026 at 10:35:05

If ever there was a case for Tarkowski to be dropped, yesterday was it.

I counted at least 4 head-in-the-hands moments, especially when Pickford passed a simple ball to him and it sailed past him and into touch. Fulham fans pissing themselves.

Pickford couldn't even be arsed to bollock him anymore. it was that bad. Love the guy for everything he's done for us, but he's just too far off the pace now.

John Collins 14 Posted 08/02/2026 at 10:44:34

Awful, Phil, possibly the worst I have seen him in an Everton shirt.

Keane the same. Sat far too deep yesterday.

Philip Devlin 15 Posted 08/02/2026 at 11:17:48

On the occasion he did wander up the pitch, Phil, I was shitting bricks at the thought of him trying to track back against the likes of Chukwueze. He looks like a testimonial player and has done for far too long.

On the flip side, Tyrique had the composure of a player way beyond his years. He needs to start. Armstrong looks lost out wide.

Dave Abrahams 16 Posted 08/02/2026 at 11:51:08

Philip (13),

I think Pickford passed that ball to Tarkowski when Tarkowski had his back turned away from him.

If you were concentrating on every player, you must have your head in your hands quite a lot of the game when the other three of the back four had the ball or tried to get hold of it, especially O'Brien with his performance.

17 Posted 08/02/2026 at 12:28:07

You could be right, Dave, it looked to me like Tarkowski was just staring ahead while his brain farted.

I could write an essay on how hard a watch that back 4 was. It's not O'Brien's fault he's played out of position and smaller, nippier players are stealing a yard on him every time, but it's a painful watch; he always needs back-up, usually by Garner haring across the pitch. Yet another reason why we can't play higher up the pitch.

Keane was there, that's about the best you could say about him. Mykolenko vs Harry Wilson was arse-clench time.

Patterson, Branthwaite, George all desperately need to start on Tuesday. As soon as Fulham realised after 10 mins they could steam down our right, then midfield, then out left, with little or no closing down, they should've been out of sight by half-time.

We stole that game. The pints on Fulham Palace Road after tasted good, though.

Michael Stevenson 18 Posted 08/02/2026 at 12:31:51

Interesting how everyone views the same thing differently. I though Gueye had a decent second half myself -- although I agree, he was dodgy in the first.

I agree with the Tarkowski comments -- he had a shocker yesterday. I did wonder if he'd get hooked off for Branthwaite at half-time.

We could easily have been 4-0 down at half-time yesterday. I don't know what Moyes does at half-time but I wish he'd think of it before kick-off. We're always shit first half and a different team in the second.

Philip Devlin 19 Posted 08/02/2026 at 12:54:31

Gueye looks like he can't be arsed mopping up anymore and prefers doing a bit of attacking midfield -- like he did at Afcon.

And he's not bad at it, to be fair. Plenty of energy and pace around the box.

Dave Abrahams 20 Posted 08/02/2026 at 12:59:58

Philip (17),

I think it's right and fair to assess all that back four yesterday and, although Pickford redeemed himself with a couple of great saves, he started a panicky few minutes by punching the ball away with two hands when it looked like a very simple catch to me. Fulham got 3 or 4 corners out of a stupid mistake.

I don't think we stole the game after a much-improved second half but I get your drift because Fulham wasted a few very good chances in that first half. Mylolenko rescued us with a goal-line clearance with Keane stood there like a dummy wondering what was going on all around him.

Anthony Dwyer 21 Posted 08/02/2026 at 13:03:28

When you look at our league position, it's fair to say Moyes is pulling up trees at us; a lack of Cup run is a major negative in terms of how the season has panned out up to now.

But let's be honest, take a look at the relegation pack and be glad for once we aren't a part of it. It's looking very very tough down there and Moyes has steered us miles clear of it and deserves a lot of credit for doing so.

Eric Haworth 22 Posted 08/02/2026 at 13:18:02

A bit churlish of us to be moaning after a welcome and pretty much unexpected away win, but it is in our DNA after all.

It would be hard to ignore such a woeful first half performance, where nobody came out with any credit (other than perhaps Pickford, who kept us in the game, helped by some poor finishing).

So it would be difficult and unfair to single out any particular individual for criticism, because they were all poor. But what I would say is that some of the points on here have merit, based on performances that seem to have become the norm this season.

In a purely personal view, I think that the time might finally have come to pair Branthwaite and O'Brien in the centre of our defence. Because both have demonstrated the sort of calm assurance that's required and sadly been lacking at times. Of course, there's also the benefit of the pace that they bring.

Albeit fair to say Michael Keane has had one of his better seasons thus far, and has been consistently dependable -- although, also fair to say that, in the first half yesterday, he was just as bad as the rest, but everyone has the odd bad game.

Darren Hind 23 Posted 08/02/2026 at 14:14:02

I know football is often seen from many different perspectives, but how on earth did Tarkowski get 5? ... He didn't put a foot right all avy?

He may have been a decent backs-to-the-wall defender a couple of years ago, but he has spent the last 2 years dining out on it.

He must love it when Keane (who has been light-years ahead of him all season) gets selected because, every time he makes a cock-up, the last-ditch tackle lovers are up in arms, blaming Keane.

That incredibly stupid pass he gave to big Jake, which could and should have cost us the game, has now become a weekly occurrence.

John Collins 24 Posted 08/02/2026 at 14:18:49

Very poor yesterday for me, Darren.

Their goal was a cock-up from Keane though.

Brian Harrison 25 Posted 08/02/2026 at 14:39:39

I can't believe on this season's performances that some rate Tarkowski ahead of Keane. He must misplace more passes out of defence than any other player, and is the slowest defender we have on the books.

Yes, he is good dealing with crosses but balls played in behind and he is toast, as Smith Rowe proved yesterday. Because of his lack of pace, he is reluctant to push up field.

And for the life of me, I don't know why him and Pickford mess about at goal kicks.

Darren Hind 26 Posted 08/02/2026 at 14:41:26

Not having it, John. I think that's just another example of what I was talking about.

Keane won his tackle on Iwobi as the former Blue was about to get in a close range effort on goal. He could'nt really clean him out, it was in the box.

Instead of clearing the loose ball, Tarkowski just dives on the deck looking for a foul.

Appalling defending again.

Dave Abrahams 28 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:11:21

Darren (27) Darren let’s be honest how can he have won that tackle on Iwobi when he just meekly intercepted the ball and left it free for the Fulham player to lash a shot in which was saved by Pickford but inadvertently own goaled by Mykolenko.

I also think you are being hard on Tarkowski by saying he’s been poor for the last two years and as for Keane being light years ahead of him this season I don’t think Keane has it in him to be light years ahead of any other centre back even when he played in all those non competitive international matches for England.

Mark Murphy 29 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:13:48

From the short cameos I’ve seen of both so far I’m very much looking forward to Aznou and George on the left hand side for the Blues!

John Collins 30 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:17:31

It was worthy of a centre forwards lay off from Keane Darren.

Rolled the ball four yards right into the Fulham players path on or close to the 6 yard box

Darren Hind 31 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:23:11

he could have left it and let Iwobi smash it in like Tarks did

John Collins 32 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:35:30

You need to watch it again Darren.

Tarkowski went out to the angle of the 18 yard box to cover an unmarked Fulham player in what looked like the obvious pass,a clever chip took him out of the play.

Keane went in with a tarts poke instead of a full challenge,put it on a plate for the Fulham player.Tarkowski could not get back in fast enough.

John Collins 33 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:40:10

Iwobi " smash it in" Darren ?

Darren Hind 34 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:52:58

I think it's you who needs to watch it again John.

Keane stops Iwobi from putting away a very easy chance. Tarkowski gets goal side of his man and ends up flat on his face in his own 6-yard box.

Thats not my opinion... it's a fact.

John Collins 35 Posted 08/02/2026 at 15:56:46

A very easy chance, haha.

He had a heavy touch and Keane went in like a girl.

I'd be very disappointed if my granddaughter showed the same lack of aggression in a game of Tick.

John Collins 36 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:02:21

https://youtu.be/9OodkjHRZlE?si=aZAQHlQc8LMK4oor

Fact?Nah1!

Darren Hind 37 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:05:09

Good night John Boy

Steve Brown 38 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:07:35

Gents, either way I'd like to see O'Brien and Branthwaite at centre-back on Tuesday.

And as a mad idea we could play two full-backs in the full-back positions.

John Collins 39 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:09:06

Scarpered?

I thought you would give us your take after watching the video?

Anthony Dwyer 40 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:21:34

Tarkowski was not at fault for yesterday's goal; the first error came from Gana, he left us wide open getting his tackle all wrong.

Then I thought Keane could or should have just sent the ball as far away from goal as possible. You can't say he won anything tapping the ball into the path of the next Fulham player in the centre of our box.

Gearing up to next season and a transition should be in place for the centre of the defence and midfield, with O'Brien partnering Branthwaite and Garner partnering Dewsbury-Hall.

Gana, Tarkowski and Keane should all be made available to gather us any funds possible before they become as useless a squad player as Coleman (yes, I know, great servant... but clearly done).

Football waits for no man. Between the 3 of them, we could probably get £10/20M in, and save £10/12M in wages that could easily go towards a younger fresh option at centre-back.

Liam Mogan 41 Posted 08/02/2026 at 16:37:20

Gana was everywhere in the first half yesterday. Everywhere he shouldn't have been.

We were so open in midfield and they just ran through us. Back 4 were completely exposed.

Ged Simpson 42 Posted 08/02/2026 at 17:17:28

34, 26, and 27 (to try and make a "point" again). But some truth somwhere...

"I know football is often seen from many different perspectives.."

Even about the Blessed Keane, who I also love but John. Fair point.

Anyway, to quote my red partner: "How the hell did you win that?"

I wondered too so came here to watch some keyboard "hard men" to stop any fun.

Job done.. Miserable as fuck now. Oh yeah, we won. Not.

@42

My point was challenged five times. I responded as requested before I got fed up with people ignoring the evidence of their own eyes. I saw Tarkowski in the usual position, lying 3 feet away from our goal line with his nose in the ground.

I don't care what you saw and I don't care whatt you think. You are perfectly at liberty to scroll past my posts instead of constantly bleating about them. I know I usually do yours but then if I (or anybody else) responded to you. I would just be bleating about you constantly bleating about other peoples posts.

Ever thought of making a point of your own ?

Jay Lewis 44 Posted 08/02/2026 at 18:33:52

Some of the errors Tarkowski has been making are criminal, he needs to be dropped. One of Tarkowski's mistakes is going to cost us big time if he isn't dropped.

Hopefully Branthwaite starts on Tuesday, with Keane or O'Brien to his right and Patterson and Mykolenko.