The Tanner Report : Everton 1 Fulham 3

There was a certain irony as well as immense satisfaction after Fulham’s away win at Goodson Park. Irony as not so long ago Fulham head coach Marco Silva was sacked by Everton and spoke of seismic club problems at that time. Silva is back at Fulham who have never flirted with relegation whilst Everton are perilously close to the drop zone.

Fulham have not had an easy few weeks. Alex Mitrovic around whom every forward move revolves has been suspended for 6 games and the hike in season ticket prices for next season ( £3000 in the new stand) has generated outrage. We have lost 5 consecutive games and seemingly been on 39 points for ever.

There was a feeling ,which I shared ,that Silva needed a new game plan as Vinucius is no Mitrovic but the system had not changed. I favoured a “ false nine” which he played but no Manir Solomon nor Bobby Decordova-Reid starting but Harry Wilson and Dan James. if the idea was to get more bodies in the box than it worked as Wilson who had an exceptional game and James had a major part in all three goals scoring two of them. But for a time at the end of the first half after Everton equalised , Fulham were always superior

Fulham play Leeds next then upwardly mobile Aston Villa. Most of the games after that are against opposition below us in the league.