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STRONG DISPLAYS FROM IDRISSA GUEYE, MICHAEL KEANE GUIDE EVERTON TO FULHAM TRIUMPH

Everton secured a vital 2-0 home win over Fulham, ending an eight-match slump. Defensive duo Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane were the unlikely goalscorers, supplementing the misfiring attack and condemning the Cottagers to their fifth successive away loss

Strong displays from Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane guide Everton to Fulham triumph
Michael Keane scored Everton's second goal - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Everton's ineffective assault was bolstered by Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane in a 2-0 victory that prolonged Fulham's road woes to their fifth straight game.

Others must contribute because the Toffees' two strikers, Beto and Thierno Barry, have only combined for one Premier League goal this season.

However, their defensive midfielder and centre-back were the ones that made the difference in a side that had the offensive prowess of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The first goal was significant because the two teams had only scored 22 goals between them in 20 Premier League games. Gueye's goal in the fourth minute of first-half added time was even more significant because Everton should have won the game more easily, but was denied three times by an offside flag.

After James Tarkowski's header bounced against the crossbar and Tim Iroegbunam utterly fluffed his shot in front of goal, Gueye stabbed home his second of the season.

Gueye is on track to surpass his highest four-game haul in an Everton shirt from 2023–24, even though he did not score at all the previous season.

With ten minutes remaining, Keane eliminated any last-minute worry by flicking home a Dewsbury-Hall corner.

David Moyes, the manager, was appreciative of these contributions as his team halted a losing streak of one game in eight games in all competitions.

Following Barry's obvious miss against Sunderland on Monday, Moyes offered him a vote of confidence and made him start back-to-back league games for the first time.

Although the 23-year-old's speed and movement still show promise, he does not currently appear to possess the physicality needed to be a top-flight striker.

He believed he had ended his wait for a first goal when Ndiaye flicked on a Gueye cross for him to finish at the far post after shooting a header high and wide in the seventh minute, but his dreams were ruined by the first offside flag.

Even though he was unable to open the Cottagers, Dewsbury-Hall was Everton's best attacking prospect. However, it appeared as though a set-piece would be possible when Tarkowski volleyed home after Keane's header was parried, only for the flag to be raised once more.

Josh King took Sasa Lukic's place for the second half after the fortunate player avoided a second caution for repeatedly tugging down Dewsbury-Hall, although it did not really matter because Dewsbury-Hall scored the third goal, to was chalked out for offside.

Before Keane finished to leave the visitors only one point above the bottom three, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stretched out a foot to deny substitute Rodrigo Muniz, who was replaced himself just 17 minutes after coming on, in a rare Fulham opportunity.

VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE

Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.

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Antoine Semenyo’s clumsy challenge handed Chelsea a vital lifeline

Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.

This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.

What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.

VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."

VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.

At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.

Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.

The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.

Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.

A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.

Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Referee: Sam Barrott

VAR: Craig Pawson

What: VAR check for a foul in the box

When: 11th minute

BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW

Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.

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Emery snubs Arteta's handshake

Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.

This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.

Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.

Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.

Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.

After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.

It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.

“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.

“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”

About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.

“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.

“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.

“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.

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