Duff caps Fulham fightback as Everton slump again

Fulham winger Damien Duff capped his side’s impressive fightback with a superb strike to clinch a 2-1 win over Everton on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson’s side trailed to a first half header from Australia midfielder Tim Cahill at Craven Cottage, but Paul Konchesky levelled after the break with a deflected effort before former Newcastle winger Duff hit his first Fulham goal with 11 minutes remaining.

Fulham’s win lifted the London club out of the relegation zone, but Everton remain in the bottom three after their third defeat in four games – equalling their worst start to a season under boss David Moyes.

Hodgson was boosted by the return of three key players as Andrew Johnson came back from his collarbone injury, while Bobby Zamora had recovered from an Achilles complaint and Danny Murphy was fit again following a calf problem.

However he was without Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who had a neck injury, so David Stockdale made his debut.

Stockdale was called into action for the first time when Jack Rodwell’s drive deflected off Aaron Hughes and saved well with his knees.

Everton took the lead in the 33rd minute when Leighton Baines swung over a free-kick and Cahill rose above Dickson Etuhu to head past Stockdale after being ruled onside.

It was the former Millwall star’s first goal for 13 games and underlined the benefits of his rare international break after he was rested for Australia’s friendly with South Korea in Seoul last weekend.

He celebrated with his trademark boxing routine at the corner flag and Everton almost went further ahead when Leon Osman took Steven Pienaar’s pass and went through on goal, only for Aaron Hughes to make a last-ditch tackle.

Fulham increased their tempo after half-time and Johnson turned sharply before forcing Howard to save with a low shot, then Etuhu headed wide from Murphy’s free-kick.

The Cottagers equalised in the 57th minute when Murphy’s free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall. It rebounded to Konchesky, whose powerful drive deflected in off Sylvain Distin.

Phil Neville was stretchered off soon after when Etuhu caught the Everton captain just below the left knee. John Heitinga came on for his debut as a replacement.

Neville’s absence left Everton looking bereft of leadership and Fulham, scenting blood, surged forward.

In the 79th minute, Zamora headed on a long ball to Johnson, whose pass picked out Duff. The Irishman burst into the penalty area, cut inside Baines and unleashed a powerful drive that gave Howard no chance.

Everton tried to respond but Stockdale saved a Marouane Fellaini header from close-range and Murphy cleared Joseph Yobo’s follow-up shot off the line.