Everton 0 Fulham 2: Josh Maja brace gives Cottagers third win of season in huge survival boost
CARLO ANCELOTTI didn’t need a hot cuppa after this. More like a very stiff drink.
No matter that his Fulham counterpart Scott Parker thinks he is ultra cool or not.
The Italian was left blazing mad as Josh Maja grabbed the double that made Everton’s Champions League ambitions look laughable.
Parker had expressed his admiration for Ancelotti in the way he sipped away at his tea as Bernard banged home the winner in last week’s 5 – 4 FA Cup win over Tottenham.
But he will have admired his own side’s performance equally as much.
For they pulled the Toffees to bits throughout the victory that will give them hope they can still survive in the Premier League.
Bobby Decordova-Reid was allowed to run the show.
Ably assisted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek they ran rings around the opponents why Ancelotti has such high hopes for.
Although after a third home defeat in four, maybe now not so much.
Fulham have struggled all season to score goals and they were forced to face Everton without Aleksander Mitrovic, ruled out after a positive Covid test.
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But Maja, on loan until the end of the season from Bordeuax, may just become their talisman now.
The 22-year-old, who spent three seasons at Sunderland, was cooler than Ancelotti as he collected his goals on his first Prem start.
Ola Aina played a one-two with former Everton attacker Ademola Lookman before crossing perfectly.
And Maja, 22, produced a clinical 48th minute finish.
His second came via Harrison Reed’s 25-yard attempt that smacked against Robin Olsen’s post.
Fulham’s new hero was perfectly placed to touch home the rebound.
The Cottagers are now seven points off Newcastle, while Everton are a point off fourth-placed Liverpool – although the Toffees have a game in hand over their rivals.
