Fulham failed to score at Craven Cottage for the first time in the Premier League so far this season as Everton held the hosts to a 0-0 draw. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic had 10 shots and failed to score, no player has had that many shots without scoring in an English top-flight match since December 2017. 

Despite the lack of goals, there was definitely not a lack of action. 

The result leaves Marco Silva's team in Seventh place, one point off of the top six, whilst the Blues are in 12th place. 

  • Story of the game

The opening ten minutes were very lively, both teams having chances to take the lead. 

Demarai Gray had the first chance of the match just after the five minute mark, smashing the ball into the hands of Bernd Leno from a tight angle. 

Willian forced an excellent save from Jordan Pickford with a swivelling shot from close range and Aleksandar Mitrovic tested him again from the resulting corner. 

England's number one was forced into another save when Harrison Reed attempted to curl an effort in from outside the area. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin got a touch on Gray's 19th minute cross but he could not direct it on target and may have denied Anthony Gordon, who was lurking at the far-post. 

Mitrovic got the first booking of the match after a late challenge on Idrissa Gueye, it could have been red, as it was late but the referee and VAR agreed a yellow would suffice.

Tim Ream headed narrowly wide from a corner for the hosts before James Tarkowski fired a free header from Gray's cross straight at Leno for the visitors. 

After the interval, Andreas Pereira found Mitrovic in the box, but the Serbian could only head over the crossbar. 

Willian tested Pickford again with a curling effort before Bobby Decordova-Reid was booked for a pull on Vitaliy Mykolenko.

Amadou Onana received the third booking of the match for bringing down Pereira with a clumsy challenge.  

Nathan Patterson and James Garner replaced Seamus Coleman and Gueye as Frank Lampard sought to add fresh impetus to his team. Harry Wilson replaced Neeskens Kebano for the hosts.

With just over half-an-hour left in the match, Calvert-Lewin ran in-between the hosts defence and put the ball in the back of the net however he was ruled offside. 

Dwight McNeil was substituted on for Gray for Everton whilst Kenny Tete returned for Fulham after missing five matches and Tom Cairney also returned, replacing Decordova-Reid and Pereira. 

Cairney then found Willian, who created space in the box and curled another effort straight into the arms of Pickford. 

The 34-year-old Brazilian then beat Gordon and Patterson but his pass into the danger zone was blocked by Garner, denying Issa Diop a golden opportunity with less than ten minutes to go. 

Neil Maupay replaced Gordon with five minutes of normal time left as the Blues chased a late winner. 

Mitrovic nearly snatched an 89th minute winner but fired over from a difficult effort on the turn from a heavy pass. 

Many tipped Fulham for the drop this season, however they have been impressive, especially at home and their form has been rewarded with seventh place in the league table. 

Meanwhile, Everton are in 12th place, five points above the relegation zone, although Nottingham Forest have a game in hand, and Leeds have two (the play Liverpool at 19:45 tonight). 

  • Player of the match

Willian

The former Chelsea and Arsenal man rolled back the years testing the other obvious candidate for the player of the match Jordan Pickford several times. 

He was a handful for the visitor's defence all evening, his one-on-one dribbling, reminiscent of his prime, causing chaos. 

Many fans and pundits questioned the signing in the summer, but is it looking like a very clever acquisition from Marco Silva.