Fulham sends Newcastle back to relegation zone

Newcastle fell 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage today with a Danny Murphy penalty strike being the deciding factor as much as the miserable playing conditions defined play. The loss ends the Magpies two match winning streak and sends them back to the relegation zone.

Prior to the break Fulham controlled the run of play while little attacking spirit by Newcastle and less than acceptable work rate in the midfield. Jimmy Bullard, as he so often is, created a series of opportunities, pushing his club on and midway the first half Fulham's efforts were rewarded. At the twenty-third minute Andrew Johnson capitalized on a ineffective clearance by Newcastle's Claudio Cacapa that came to him in close range and without hesitation put the ball behind Shay Given. Slowly the match started to even-out in play and before the break Newcastle was starting to assert a more attacking, confident side. After the break Newcastle came out with vigor and twelve minutes in, Shola Ameobi pounced on a loose ball from point bank range for the tying goal. However with twenty-five minutes remaining Andrew Johnson was fouled by Fabricio Coloccini in the area and Danny Murphy calmly converted. Michael Owen entered the match with twenty minutes remaining but his only effort went astray. Newcastle continued to pressure as the match wore on but the equalizer was not to be found.

Newcastle returns to action against Wigan next Saturday.

Everton defeats Fulham 1-0

Looking back at the Toffees 1-0 victory over Fulham, you'll come to the conclusion that sometimes all you can chalk victories up to is being lucky. Certainly their are more than a few times Everton has walked off the pitch, disappointed and feeling as if they deserved points but today, fortune shined down upon the boys at Goodison Park.

It wasn't an "attractive" match by Everton standards as the offensive chugged and sputtered like an engine without petrol. However with a few minutes remaining Louis Saha picked a perfect time to score his first goal in blue when he soared high to powerfully head a Leon Osman cross to the back of the net. Through the work of Jimmy Bullard, who is enough to make anyone a Fulham fan, the Cottagers were on the verge of breaking through on numerous occasions but Tim Howard was up to every attack. Of particular note and a surprise decision at that, David Moyes utilized a 4-5-1 with Tim Cahill employed as a central midfielder when Louis Saha came in for Marouane Fellaini on the hour mark.

The win sends Everton to seventh in the table which hold on for the shock, has Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal as the top four. Who could imagine something so impossible like that? After the short week, in an effort to assist its loyal blogger, Everton has decided not to play till next Saturday when they face Gianfranco Zola's West Ham.

Everton to keep streak going

Following Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Bolton, Roy Hodgson and company are welcomed to Goodison with David Moyes looking for his one-hundredth victory stewarding Everton. The Toffees are in a peculiar situation at present as the normal strong record at home has evaporated this year as they are winless in five matches.

After returning from suspension, Tim Cahill may miss the match due an injury and along with Leon Osman, will face a pre-match fitness test. Nuno Valente is a definite "no-show" with minor knee problems. Fulham are relatively healthy with only Toni Kallio and Seol Ki-Hyeon out. Marouane Fellaini is anxious to continue his heroic efforts and per the club web-site, he said how pleased he was with life in the Merseyside and giving his best for the fans. That will be needed tomorrow as through the course of the season this is one of "those" matches which you need maximal points on if you are to move into the top of the table.

Everton crushes Bolton in last minute

When he came from Standard Liège the phrases used by the media to describe Marouane Fellaini was a "box to box" midfielder although anyone who saw him in Belgium knew he was so much more. Maybe the time has change the description because his goal scoring prowess is quickly making a powerful statement.

Following the difficult loss against Man Utd, marked with Wayne Rooney's ramble-rousing, the Toffees were in a sticky situation. Winless since the fourth week of the season, the bottom of the table was starting to wake-up and a victory was desperately needed.

The last few weeks, we've seen a glimmer of hope raise to a chest thumping roar. The loss to Arsenal stirred that glimmer and against Man Utd with all their awards and gleaming trophy cases, we stood up and we're counted. We rose in strength and found a way to fight and challenge our way to a tough draw. Today that glimmer resounded as once again with their backs against the wall David Moyes' forces dug-in and as time ran-out Steven Pienaar's cross was headed-in by Marouane Fellaini to give them a 1-0 victory over Bolton.

It was not a "classic" victory and if I am to be truthful, Bolton outplayed Everton for the most part. However through a hard-nosed work ethic and never back-down mentality the Toffees head home with three points and await Fulham this Saturday.