Silva criticises Fulham´s lack of focus as European ambitions fade

Fulham boss Marco Silva criticised his side’s lack of focus as their poor run of form continued with a 3-1 loss at home to Everton on Saturday.

The Cottagers started the match well and went ahead through Raul Jimenez’s header and had other opportunities to add to their tally.

But Fulham squandered those chances and the visitors restored parity with a deflected strike by Vitalii Mykolenko on the stroke of half-time.

Everton went ahead in the second-half through goals from Michael Keane and Beto to consign Fulham to a fourth loss in five games.

Indeed, Fulham have dropped 28 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, the t-most of any side (along with Southampton) and the Cottagers’ most in a single campaign in the competition.

And Silva, who was serving a touchline ban, bemoaned his players’ lack of concentration during the match.

“We have to correct the things which happened with us in the last three or four games,” Silva told BBC Sport.

“In these decisive moments of the season, if you want to be there fighting, you cannot lose concentration. It is the story of the last three or four games.

“We have to be willing to fight, do our job well and we didn’t. It’s about concentration and focus.

“We have to blame ourselves because it didn’t happen before, but it did in the last few weeks.”

Marco’s take on #FULEVE defeat.

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) May 10, 2025

Everton manager David Moyes praised the development of striker Beto as he scored his seventh goal since the Scot’s reappointment.

Only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak (both 10) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (nine) have found the net more often than the Portuguese forward since Moyes returned to the club in January.

“He’s done great, he’s improving,” said Moyes to BBC Sport.

“If he was a 19-year-old striker, you’d say he’s got a bit to go, he’s not, but he’s certainly improving. Let’s hope he can get goals in the remaining games.”

Everton came from 1-0 down to win a Premier League away game for the first time since October 2022 (2-1 at Southampton), having failed to win any of their previous 27 games on the road when conceding first before today (D6 L21).

Despite the win, Moyes was not happy with the start made by Everton but did praise his side’s tenacity in getting over the finishing line.

He said: “It didn’t look [like it would go] that way after the first 20, 25 minutes.

“I thought we were terrible on the ball, but we stuck at it. We are a resilient crew and the players did a good job in the end.”

Next week is likely to be an emotional one for the club, with Everton playing their final match at Goodison Park against Southampton.

Moyes revealed that he had already spoken to the players about the enormity of the occasion.

“I have just said to the players we have the biggest game of the season next week, and we are all ready for it,” Moyes concluded.