Everton vs. Fulham: Nothing to Play For and Everything to Play For

This match has absolutely no bearing on anything at either the top or bottom of the table.

This match has absolutely every bearing on the fact that Fulham are heading into Goodison Park for the eleventh time in Premier League history and not a single point to show for any of their efforts. In fact, they’ve scored a total of six measly goals. Overall, they’ve lost their last 18 league matches at Goodison Park in all leagues. EIGHTEEN IN A ROW! The last time they left that wretched place with points to show for was in 1959. The last time they left there with a victory: 1974 FA Cup.

Shouldn’t that be enough to want nothing more than to beat David Moyes’ scrappy side?

Fulham have been outscored at Goodison 22-6. They’ve only drawn Everton once ever in the 21 times they have played, a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

But Everton exorcised their Craven Cottage demons a few years ago. After they themselves lost their first seven Premier League visits to the banks of the Thames (how bout that for a stat? Everton 7-0-0 vs Fulham at home, 0-0-7 away?), they’ve now got two wins and a draw to their name.

It’s this simple: If Fulham have aspirations of finishing 7th this season, this is a must-win match. Their final three fixtures are away to Liverpool, home to Sunderland, and away at Spurs. Correct me if I’m wrong but if a few things go poorly, Fulham could be looking at a big fat zero in the points column from those three fixtures.

But here’s the even more important part: If Fulham are looking to exorcise their away form demons, they need to start right here, with this fixture. You can’t say you’re a good away form club if you’ve never even drawn a side in 11 attempts. This is a crucial fixture if the Cottagers want to get into the offseason on the right foot. Beat Everton here, and ensure that both table finish and form in the final three fixtures are of very little consequence.

Martin Jol has Fulham on the brink of doing things the club has never done before in my opinion. I think everyone on Al Fayed’s payroll believes they can do what Newcastle is doing this season (whether they can or not is a big question mark, and a tall task, but I know they all believe, and that’s the first step). But if they are to do that, the first thing they need to rectify is the away form. And what better way to get that monkey off your back heading into next season than to get this monkey off their back this season? Why head into next season with questions still surrounding your away form when you can start the vanquishing process right here, right now?

So you see, Fulham may not have anything to play for technically this season. But if they are to take the next step as a club, this is an incredibly important moment.

And if that’s still not enough motivation for you, let this one sink in:

0 – 0 – 10