Fulham 0 Everton 2

Last updated : 24 May 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Leon Osman produced a pair of fine finishes at the end of each half, which were enough to take all three points for David Moyes' visitors, who not only secured fifth place, but also warmed up for next weekend's FA Cup Final with Chelsea in style.

Yet Tottenham's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool ensured Fulham recorded their highest-ever league finish of seventh, which also secured a place in the second qualification round for next season's Europa League.

It is a far cry from just a year ago, when Roy Hodgson's team ensured their Premier League survival on the final day of last season thanks to a goal from Danny Murphy with just 14 minutes remaining at Portsmouth.

The transformation Hodgson has brought about has been remarkable. A settled team, with only 13 players making more than five league starts, have played attractive football all season, although on this occasion they struggled to create any real chances against an Everton defence well marshalled by Joleon Lescott.

Moyes picked a surprisingly strong team considering their Wembley date with Chelsea is just six days away, and although they struggled to keep hold of the ball for any long period of time they invariably made the most of their opportunities to attack.

And the visitors were the first out of the blocks as Louis Saha, who scored 64 goals in 144 games for Fulham between 2000 and 2004, rattled the bar with a header from Osman's hooked cross.

Everton appeared the more fluent side and their lightning-quick breaks could have Chelsea sweating if they produce them next week.

From one such break, Steven Pienaar played the ball intelligently through to Saha, who forced Mark Schwarzer into a fine save with his first-time effort from the edge of the box.

And it was no surprise when Everton took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Again, it was Pienaar who was the instigator, slotting the ball through intelligently for Osman, who showed impressive composure to round Schwarzer and slot home for his sixth goal of the season.

Chances were few and far between in the second-half as both sides cancelled each other out for long periods, with the two sets of fans instead getting into the party mood.

But substitute Bobby Zamora should have equalised with five minutes left as Murphy played him clean through, but the striker found the legs of goalkeeper Tim Howard rather than the back of the net.

And Zamora was made to pay for his miss as Osman strode through midfield to unleash a fine curling effort that beat Schwarzer and nestled in the back of the net - although the enthusiastic reaction from both sets of supporters at the end proved it has been a fine season for both sides.