Fulham return to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon knowing exactly what sort of test Everton bring right now. David Moyes’ side are not arriving to entertain, they’re arriving to compete, to stay in the game, and to turn one late moment into a result. Fulham’s job is to make sure there is no “late moment” to steal.
Marco Silva’s build-up has been shaped by a bruising kind of encouragement. Fulham’s performance at Manchester United showed spirit and punch, dragging themselves back into a game that looked gone, only to be stung right at the end. Silva described it afterwards as an “emotional game”, felt his side were good value for a draw, and spoke with pride about the effort even as the late winner made it feel like a missed opportunity. That mix of pride and frustration usually produces a clear response at home: sharper decision-making, higher tempo, and a demand for control that actually leads somewhere.
And that is the key theme from Fulham’s perspective this weekend: control with teeth.
Why Everton are awkward opponents right now
Moyes has been very open about what he values. Everton “stick in games”, keep going “till the end”, and give themselves a chance of scoring even when it doesn’t look like it’s coming. That mindset changes how Fulham have to approach the match.
If Fulham dominate the ball but do not turn it into chances, they’re feeding Everton’s preferred diet: long spells of defending, short bursts of threat, and a match that stays close enough to nick late. Fulham need a first-half performance that forces Everton to chase, not simply endure.
The Cottage question: can Fulham turn pressure into profit?
At Craven Cottage, Silva’s teams are usually at their best when the ball speed is high and the front players keep moving defenders around, rather than letting opponents settle into their shape. The patterns Fulham will want are familiar:
- stretching Everton with width and quick switches
- attacking the gaps either side of Everton’s midfield screen
- arriving in the box with runners rather than relying on static crossing
The warning is Everton’s ability to survive. Moyes’ sides rarely panic when they’re under pressure, they wait for the moment the opponent gets impatient.
So Fulham’s most important “battle” might not be a specific player duel, but their own discipline: keep probing, keep the tempo, don’t force it, and don’t give away cheap set pieces that invite Everton back into the contest.
Fulham’s attacking edge
Silva will take heart from the character shown last weekend, and he’ll also know he has proven match-winners who can turn a balanced game. Harry Wilson’s current form is a major talking point, and he’ll be central to Fulham’s belief that they can create enough quality to win without needing chaos.
Raúl Jiménez also remains a reference point for Fulham’s attacking structure: he can hold the ball, bring others in, and occupy Everton’s centre-halves long enough for Fulham’s runners to arrive.
Team news focus
Fulham have already confirmed Saša Lukić is set for a spell out with a hamstring issue, which matters because his energy and defensive balance often help Fulham sustain pressure without being exposed in transition. Silva has also indicated Kenny Tete has been back training, which offers a boost in terms of stability and natural width from full-back.
What Fulham must do to win
From Fulham’s perspective, this is the route to three points:
- Start quickly and turn early territory into real chances.
- Keep Everton facing their own goal, and limit cheap turnovers that ignite counters.
- Be ruthless in both boxes, especially late on. Everton believe in late moments. Fulham must believe in finishing games.
If Fulham can score first, the match tilts toward a Cottage afternoon where they can dictate the rhythm. If Everton keep it level into the final stages, it becomes exactly what Moyes wants: a tight contest where one loose clearance, one set piece, one scramble can decide the story.
For Silva, the task is to make sure Fulham write the story first.
