De Cordova-Reid earns Fulham fortunate win at Everton

LIVERPOOL, England: Bobby De Cordova-Reid led a smash and grab for Fulham when he scored a second half goal in their 1-0 Premier League victory over a wasteful Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday (Aug 12).

De Cordova-Reid netted on 73 minutes with a tap-in at the back post after excellent work from Andreas Pereira, one of two shots on target for the visitors.

Everton, who avoided relegation on the final day of last season, had enough chances to win but were poor in front of goal, struck the crossbar and had an effort disallowed in controversial circumstances when they did get the ball in the back of the net.

Michael Keane thought he had put the hosts ahead but was denied by referee Stuart Attwell for a perceived foul by James Tarkowski on goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

"I'm very disappointed in the fact that we didn't win the game, or certainly get a point, from a very dominant chance count, and high-quality chances at that," Everton manager Sean Dyche told the BBC.

"We did not finish them off and we know from last season we have to improve at that, but we were getting the team in the right manner and the right areas.

"I was pleased with that because that is the highest chance count and quality of chance count that I can remember for a long time here."

Dyche has made it clear he would like to add an experienced striker to the squad in this transfer window and on the basis of this showing it is easy to see why.

Neal Maupay flashed a shot wide in the first 35 seconds before Abdoulaye Doucoure found himself one-on-one with Leno, but had his effort saved.

Maupay was then denied twice by Leno as Everton found the key to unlock the Fulham back door but could not finish.

The visitors were a whisker away from the opener when Raul Jimenez, on