Everton substitute Beto headed a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a 1-1 home draw with Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday after the Londoners had been seemingly cruising to a deserved victory courtesy of a goal by Goodison Park old boy Alex Iwobi.
Striker Beto scored in the fourth minute of added time to stretch Everton's unbeaten run to five games, but Fulham will be furious after dominating and barely looking like conceding.
Everton have a poor recent record against Fulham, losing five and winning one of their previous eight meetings, and despite a recent upturn of form that had brought two wins and two draws, they were tentative from the start.
Some ragged defending gifted Fulham two good chances back to back in the 27th minute. Jordan Pickford saved the first – a tight angled-shot by Adama Traore – while Emile Smith Rowe hooked the second over the bar under no pressure.
Everton had barely mustered an attack in the first half hour but briefly came to life when Idrissa Gana Gueye crashed a 25-yard dipping shot against the bar. Dominic Calvert-Lewin knocked in the rebound but was offside and it was chalked off.
Dwight McNeil then sent a header straight at Fulham keeper Bernd Leno while Iwobe blazed over after a testing cross by Traore, one of several the visitors failed to take advantage of.
Fulham took a deserved lead after 61 minutes though when Smith-Rowe carried the ball purposely past three defenders and fed Iwobi, who stepped inside to make space before neatly slotting past Pickford.
If the Everton fans expected a response, they were sorely disappointed as Fulham continued to look the more dangerous side.
The introduction of Beto for Calvert-Lewin was greeted with groans by the Everton fans who have hardly taken the goal-shy striker to their hearts, but he was the toast of the town at the final whistle.
FT. Beto's injury-time strike keeps the Blues unbeaten in five.
— Everton (@Everton) October 26, 2024
[1-1] #EVEFUL pic.twitter.com/Fv0TAPd2AA
Ashley Young deserves plaudits for his calm and skilful side-foot volleyed cross back into the danger area, after Iliman Ndiaye's initial cross had sailed beyond the back post, and Beto did the rest.
"For me this goal means too much," Beto said. "To be able to help the team, for me it's emotional. Even if I don't play I still work hard. I put my head up every week and try to get better.
"The supporters always sing my name and as a player you just want to pay it back. I always put it in my mind to be ready as the day may come. And today it came. I'm happy to help the team, to help the Toffees.
Fulham remain 10th on 12 points while Everton, who lost their first four games of the season, edge up to 15th on nine.