It was a day of frustration for Marco Silva as Fulham were denied a return to winning ways by Beto’s headed equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Goodison Park. Alex Iwobi’s excellent strike seemed to have secured the points against his former club, but Fulham paid the price for not putting the game out of reach, retreating further into their own half in the final moments of what was largely a forgettable contest.

Beto’s last-gasp intervention means Silva’s side have now surrendered ten points from winning positions this season. This outcome was reminiscent of the September draw against West Ham, when Danny Ings scored deep into stoppage time, especially as Fulham had dominated play and subdued the Goodison crowd—until Sean Dyche’s makeshift strike partnership of Beto, previously linked with a move to Fulham, and centre-back Michael Keane conjured an unlikely equaliser.

Clear chances were scarce in a cautious first half, with Fulham comfortably keeping possession but struggling to create clear-cut openings. Raul Jimenez forced Jordan Pickford into two smart saves, while Adama Traore tested the England goalkeeper with an angled shot across goal. Everton’s defence failed to deal with the loose ball, allowing Andreas Pereira to float a cross towards the far post. Jimenez rose highest, sending it across goal, but Smith Rowe squandered the chance, volleying a simple shot over the bar.

Everton thought they had taken the lead shortly after, as Idrissa Gueye unleashed a powerful shot from range that struck the crossbar. Calvert-Lewin pounced on the rebound, but his finish was ruled out for offside. Fulham responded with more forward momentum, with right-back Kenny Tete leading the charge. His relentless energy was evident in a brilliant run past two defenders, only for his shot to drift wide. Iwobi then mishit an awkward chance at the far post following some promising build-up play, as Fulham ended the half on the front foot.

The pattern continued after the interval, with Pereira coming close to giving Fulham the lead, firing on the turn after intricate interplay between Smith Rowe and Jimenez. Silva’s side began to press their hosts higher up the pitch, and this approach yielded results just after the hour mark. Smith Rowe capitalised on a defensive lapse, gliding past three defenders before drilling a low shot beyond Bernd Leno.

Everton tried to respond immediately but found Fulham’s defence resilient, while the visitors looked dangerous on the break with fresh legs introduced from the bench. Reiss Nelson drove into the penalty area, and Smith Rowe had an effort blocked, but the decisive moment came at the other end. Silva switched to a back three, yet no defender reacted quickly enough to avert danger when Iliman N’Diaye crossed to the far post. Veteran Ashley Young, aged 39, directed the ball back across goal, where Beto was on hand to nod in a dramatic equaliser.

Silva appeared stunned at the final whistle, and understandably so.

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Young, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Keane; Gueye, Doucouré (Mangala 80); Harrison (Lundstram 68), N’Diaye, McNeil (Branthwaite 86); Calvert-Lewin (Beto 81).

Substitutes (not used): Virginia, Patterson, Coleman, O’Brien, Armstrong.

Booked: Tarkowski.

Goal: Beto (90+4).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Berge, Pereira (Wilson 79); Traore (Nelson 68), Iwobi (Cunha 90+2), Smith Rowe (Reed 79); Jimenez (Muniz 90+2).

Substitutes (not used): Benda, Sessegnon, King, Cairney.

Booked: Iwobi.

Goal: Iwobi (51).

Referee: John Brooks

Attendance: 37,827