Late goals condemn Fulham to defeat
Fulham 1 Everton 3
Fulham’s hopes of Premier League survival were dealt another painful blow with their 11th home defeat of the season.
The Whites looked to be heading for a vital point after they fought back to equalise through substitute Ashkan Dejagah’s vicious second-half strike.
They had fallen behind after a calamitous own goal by keeper David Stockdale, who punted the ball into his own net after Steven Naismith’s shot deflected off William Kvist.
And substitutes Kevin Mirallas and Naismith grabbed two late goals to boost Everton’s hopes of a Champions League place.
Manager Felix Magath had stressed the important of Fulham winning their remaining home games and they missed the chance to lift themselves to within two points of safety.
His side were frustrated in a goalless first half and youngster Moussa Dembele, making his full debut, missed their best chance with a close-range header.
Kieran Richardson also went close when his shot was blocked by the legs of Tim Howard before dangerous winger Gerard Deulofeu, on loan at Everton from Barcelona, shot straight at Stockdale at the opposite end.
But Stockdale’s flailing legs were to blame for Everton’s opener just after the break, kicking Naismith’s deflected shot into his own net on 50 minutes.
Dejagah scored a scorching winner against Newcastle in Fulham’s last home game and he sent another thunderbolt into the net inside Howard’s near post to level.
The defeat was was cruel on Fulham, who had further efforts from John Heitinga and Pajtim Kasami saved from close range before Mirallas latched on to Aiden McGeady’s neat through-ball and put the visitors back in front.
Naismith wrapped up the win on 87 minutes from inside the box and he also hit the post in stoppage time.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Riise; Kvist (Woodrow 64), Sidwell; Kasami, Holtby, Richardson (Dejagah 64); Dembele (Roberts 80)
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Diarra, Kacaniklic, Bent.
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