AS landmarks go, it’s unlikely to figure too prominently in the Goodison annals. But Marouane Fellaini claimed a little piece of history to keep Everton FC’s season alive.
Fellaini’s towering 73rd-minute header secured the Goodison outfit a first-ever victory against Fulham in the FA Cup.
It was that kind of evening, with Denis Stracqualursi having earlier ended his goalscoring drought for the club by dragging Everton level after David Moyes’s side had fallen behind in this fourth round tie to Danny Murphy’s controversial early penalty.
Given the significant interest in the game from America, it was fitting that both home goals should be created by another Goodison loanee, United States winger Landon Donovan.
Gallery: Everton FC 2 Fulham 1 (pics by Gavin Trafford)
Everton’s misfiring strikeforce had prompted Moyes to consider asking Fellaini to reprise a makeshift striker role.
But it was from midfield that the Belgian netted the winner the Goodison outfit’s performance merited to leave their supporters with a positive Friday feeling.
A total of 22 goals in 38 appearances last year for Argentine side Tigre had drawn Stracqualursi to Everton’s attention.
But it took the beefy striker until a lucky 13th appearance for the Goodison outfit to break his duck since making a season-long loan move from his homeland.
The portents suggested a tough evening for Everton. While having never lost at home to Fulham in the league, the Goodison outfit had never previously beaten the Cottagers in the FA Cup in seven attempts.
With the 2-0 home win against non-League Tamworth in the previous round the only time Everton had scored more than once during the past 11 games, Moyes sought to rotate his striking resources once more.
It meant Louis Saha was axed to the bench following an indifferent performance last weekend, with Stracqualursi handed a third start instead.
The lack of goals has started affecting attendances at Goodison, with the club looking to arrest that slump by allowing under-16s in for just a fiver last night.
