Fulham 0-0 Everton: Sean Dyche’s side show typical grit ahead of huge week for club, as Toffees secure hard-fought point in entertaining stalemate

On an evening when Sean Dyche celebrated one-year in the job, it was fitting that Everton’s players delivered a performance that typified their manager.

It was one full of grit, heart and resilience as they weathered the Fulham storm to take a point back up to Merseyside.

They were given an almighty test by Marco Silva’s side, who threw everything they could at their foes.

But, not for the first time this season, Everton’s players stood admirably strong in the face of adversity at the start of a week which could prove to be crucial for the club’s future.

The three-day appeal hearing against their 10-point deduction begins tomorrow. Whatever the outcome – which we won’t know until mid-February – Everton’s fans can sleep easy in the knowledge this group of players will scrap for not just every point but every kick in the meantime.

Raul Jimenez strides away from the lunging slide tackle of Jarrad Branthwaite

Rodrigo Muniz and Ben Godfrey compete for the ball in the air during the first half

They land a good few blows of their own in one of the most entertaining goalless draws you are likely to see all season.

It was a breathless first half that laughed in the faces of those who wondered whether either side would still be suffering from the after-effects of FA Cup exits at the weekend.

Craven Cottage has proven a difficult assignment for away teams this season – all but one of Fulham’s seven league wins have come on home soil – but Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the metaphorical red carpet rolled out by Issa Diop.

He allowed the Everton forward to bring the ball down inside Fulham’s box, where he laid the ball off to Jack Harrison who curled narrowly wide.

Jordan Pickford made a comfortable first stop of the night from Antonee Robinson but should’ve been tested again moments later when James Garner’s sliding clearance inadvertently played in Raul Jimenez down the left.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid was screaming for the ball in acres of space at the far post. Jimenez, lacking confidence in his left foot, tried to use the outside of his right to pick out the Jamaican but only succeeded in crossing the ball high and wide of De Cordova-Reid.

Then came a moment that sent the thousands packed into the away end into short-lived ecstasy.

Bernd Leno palmed Ashley Young’s free-kick back into the path of James Tarkowski, whose scuffed shot into the greasy surface picked up pace, skimmed off the head of Diop before looping agonisingly onto the bar.

The danger wasn’t away. Robinson, trying to make up for the sin of initially giving the free-kick away, almost took the ball over the line with him using his hand as he attempted to clear. He was thankful to see team-mate Timothy Castagne make the decisive clearance off the line.

Everton fans erupted in celebrations. Some were convinced the ball had crossed the line. Others pleaded for a penalty after Robinson’s apparent infringement. Referee Thomas Bramall rubbished both claims and Fulham survived.

They should have rubbed salt in the Everton wounds but instead Jimenez produced his second moment of the game which would have kept him awake last night.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Tarkowski combined to block Castagne’s shot from the edge of the area.

Their goal-saving efforts looked to have been in vain when the ball landed at the Mexican forward’s feet five yards out. But Jimenez snatched at his opportunity – one where it was harder to miss than score – and sliced horribly wide.

Dwight McNeil hardly put a foot wrong deputising for the injured Amadou Onana in central midfield. On the one occasion he did, his poor touch almost allowed substitute Rodrigo Muniz the chance to break the deadlock. Pickford was out quick to narrow the angle and block the Brazilian’s effort.

Calvert-Lewin was inches away from ending his 15-game goal drought but saw his header from a Garner corner graze the bar before seeing another headed effort loop over the bar moments later.

The visitors’ ambition was admirable but it meant they rode their luck at times, especially as legs grew weary.

De Cordova-Reid nicked the ball from Branthwaite and should’ve picked out Willian at the far post. Instead he delayed, allowing Ben Godfrey to recover and sweep the ball clear.

Fulham manager Marco Silva remonstrates with Thomas Bramall on the touchline

Another mistake from Branthwaite almost allowed Muniz to capitalise but Tarkowski got around to block before Castagne’s clever, glancing header from a Pereira corner struck the bar.

Fulham weren’t done there as Willian’s cross picked out Diop, whose thunderous header was denied in equally emphatic fashion by Pickford, who flew across to his left.

De Cordova-Reid should have at least tested Pickford in the closing stages but instead saw his dragged shot shave the post.

Everton could have nicked it at the death but substitute Beto spurned two golden opportunities. That was the story of an enthralling night.