Everton were unable to build on their comprehensive victory over Crystal Palace last weekend as they played out a stalemate with high-flying Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday night.
Marco Silva's side have been one of the season's surprise packages and continued their fine form as they dominated Frank Lampard's men in West London and forced goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into six fine saves.
However, Aleksandar Mitrovic arguably should have been dismissed for his ill-timed challenge on Idrissa Gana Gueye in the first-half, an incident that would have no doubt changed the course of the game.
RATINGS: Everton player ratings as Jordan Pickford excellent and five more good in Fulham draw
REPORT: What Fulham fan shouted at Jordan Pickford as Everton goalkeeper proved critics wrong again
The draw sees the Toffees extend their Premier League unbeaten run to two games and move up to 12th in the table ahead of Leicester City's visit to Goodison Park next week.
Here's a round-up our what the national media outlets in attendance had to say about the Blues
'Such sterner opposition under Frank Lampard'
John Brewin of The Guardian wrote: "The goal just never came. Fulham were full of speed and invention but lacked the finishing touch to get past a busy but commanding Jordan Pickford. Everton with Conor Coady organising, often handing out NFL-style congratulations to colleagues after clearances and blocks, doggedly held their line. They are such sterner opposition under Frank Lampard, their goals against record belonging in the top echelon. Scoring is more problematic; Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ever more in isolation as his 90 minutes dragged on.
"Marco Silva spent 18 forgettable months at Everton, and despite reasonable grounds to consider himself a victim of a club in permanent flux, was forced to rebuild his reputation at Fulham. His Everton were rarely so enterprising. A similar reinvention process goes for Lampard at Everton. He has bought into being an Evertonian in a manner his Portuguese predecessor never managed. At full time the away contingent appeared happy enough with the latest demonstration of “dogs of war” values as Lampard hailed a “work, resilience and mindset we really didn’t have last year”."
'They have conquered their early season fragility'
John Aizlewood of The Telegraph wrote: "No goals then, but not for the want of trying. With Fulham seemingly free of the relegation worries that the doubting hoards thought might engulf them and Everton free of speculation vis-à-vis Frank Lampard’s position and building towards coherency, secure in their own skins, these teams played out a thoroughly entertaining game.
"Facing the club who dismissed him in December 2019 after an unhappy spell as head coach, Fulham head coach Marco Silva had a point to prove at their first reunion. “This is not the time to talk about that, but can I remind you in my first season Everton finished eighth?” Silva’s Fulham had the bulk of possession and chances and but for the excellence of Jordan Pickford, they would have had the three points they just about deserved.
"Yet Lampard too could draw much comfort. They created chances of their own, they dug in where necessary and they have conquered their early season fragility.
"Last week’s comfortable dismantling of Crystal Palace was the first time Everton had defeated a Premier League team by more than one goal since February and Lampard chose not to tempt fate. He picked an unchanged starting XI, although Vitaliy Mykolenko found himself in a more advanced role than usual and, in the sixth minute, his cross led to the first real chance when Bernd Leno reacted brilliantly to tip over Demarai Gray’s blockbuster."
'A resolute defensive display was undermined by a toothless attack'
Craig Nelson of BBC Sport wrote : "Mitrovic provided the game's only flashpoint midway through the first half, triggering a furious reaction from the Everton manager on the touchline after his studs-up tackle connected with Gueye's right ankle.
"The Serb claimed it was a genuine, if clumsy, attempt to win the ball, but Lampard felt it warranted a stronger punishment.
"It was an uncharacteristic moment in what was an otherwise good-spirited match that acted as a microcosm of all that has been good and bad in the Merseysiders' start to the season.
"A resolute defensive display was undermined by a toothless attack as Lampard's side failed to score for the 11th time in his 31 Premier League games in charge."
'One day Everton may get a big VAR red card call in their favour'
Joe Thomas of the Liverpool ECHO wrote: "One day Everton may get a big VAR red card call in their favour. That was not to be at Fulham. This time Aleksander Mitrovic left Idrissa Gueye crumpled in a heap after he planted his studs on the ankle of the Everton midfielder. It was not a red card because the tackle apparently lacked intensity.
"Frank Lampard was once again left furious. It is easy to see why. The 'tackle' came at a crucial time in an end-to-end half in which the timidity of his side's most recent away days was initially cast aside. That excitement disappeared - at both ends - in the second half but Everton at least stopped the rot away from home and added another useful point to the tally."
READ NEXT
-
Everton make big change to tunnel at Goodison that shows what club is all about
-
Everton make brilliant gesture for fans travelling to Bournemouth for Carabao Cup game
-
What Frank Lampard told Alex Iwobi to unleash new Everton creative force
-
Everton starlet takes first-team training step as January transfer plans emerge
-
Leon Osman fires DCL warning and sends blunt message to Everton's midfielders
