Fulham had the better of things but were unable to find a way through the Everton defence as they were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday evening.

A hot start saw both sides manage half-chances in the opening few minutes, with Demarai Gray’s fierce strike drawing a nice save from Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal as the game’s first major action.

Jordan Pickford went one better down the other end as he pulled out an excellent stop to deny Willian’s snapshot, before the Everton stopper was again called on to deny both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harrison Reed.

Fulham began to take control but it was Everton who had the next major chance. Dominic Calvert-Lewin got on the end of a cross from Gray and really should have tested Leno, only to misjudge his effort.

The action ramped up midway through the first half with a sprinkle of controversy from Mitrovic. The striker made an honest attempt to challenge Idrissa Gueye but undeniably left his studs on the Everton man and was perhaps a little fortunate only to be shown a yellow card. VAR had a look but changed nothing, much to Frank Lampard’s frustration.

Both sides continued to push for an opener. Fulham ended the first half leading in both possession and shots, but the Cottagers had nothing to show for their efforts.

VAR was called on early in the second half to check Willian’s penalty appeal, ruling that Gueye had got enough of the ball and waving away the call. 1-1 on the VAR scoresheet but still goalless on the one that matters.

Willian was a massive problem for the visitors and only another top save from Pickford denied the Brazilian an opener on the hour mark.

Everton did have the ball in the back of the net with 20 minutes to go as Calvert-Lewin slotted home but he was clearly offside and the fourth official wasted little time in wiping off the goal. That would be as close as the Toffees came in a second half which was comfortably controlled by Fulham.

The hosts, however, simply could not find a way through and had to settle for a point.