BLUES' TOP GUEYE

VERTON took a valuable three points from a deserved win over Fulham but the biggest victory may have been the progress made in the search for a striker.

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Thierno Barry did not last the full 90 minutes but the decision to withdraw him before the end was an easy one given it allowed all four stands to rise in appreciation.

He left Sunderland looking devastated after his terrible miss proved to be the turning point in a game Everton lost control of. Five days later he departed the stage a hero.

The 23-year-old was a menace against Fulham. He caused centre backs Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey problems through the entire 79 minutes he spent on the pitch.

The summer signing battled to get in front of the pair, chased lost causes and ensured he was not bullied out of the match.

Crucially, he not only looked a threat, but he provided a focal point that Everton have been missing so far this season, showing control and intelligence to knit attacks with those around him.

The France youth international thought he had finally kickstarted his Blues career when he finished from close range in the first half, only for the offside flag to halt a celebration that felt like a release for an embattled striker and a fanbase desperate for their hope in his ability to be converted into belief.

That was one of three disallowed Everton goals in a game the hosts could have been out of sight in long before Michael Keane took the anxiety out of the closing stages.

While Barry did not quite have his big moment, he was a big factor in this win.