Everton finally look to have got their season going after Louis Saha's first goal for the club secured a late victory over Fulham.
Saha, who joined in the summer after a wretched spell of injuries at Manchester United, produced the one moment of genuine class from a scrappy match to take Everton's points tally for the week to seven.
The French striker netted with a powerful header just three minutes from time at Goodison Park, his first goal in the Barclays Premier League since February.
Marouane Fellaini had hit a post for Everton in the first half, while Jimmy Bullard and Bobby Zamora struck woodwork for Fulham in the second period. But that was about the only excitement until Saha's winner.
Everton started well, with Tim Cahill being used just behind strike partner Ayegbeni Yakubu. Early signs were promising. Cahill missed a glorious opening in the first minute, and the Toffees' fans sat back expecting more chances to flow.
Phil Neville's right-wing cross was headed down by Fellaini, but Cahill completely missed his connection on the edge of the six-yard box.
Cahill then put Mikel Arteta into space on the left, and the cross was headed goal-wards by Steven Pienaar, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer claiming it.
fly well
Arteta then saw a 20-yard free-kick deflect off the wall, leaving Schwarzer scrambling across his goal as the ball went just wide.
But that was about it in the opening half. The lack of forward tempo allowed both defences far too much time.
Fulham made little progress going forward, and Tim Howard was not troubled when Johnson's touch set-up Jimmy Bullard, with the midfielder's shot flying high over.
After 27 minutes Everton were almost ahead when Fellaini's low drive hit the foot of a post, Schwarzer scrambling the ball away.
Fulham's response was a run by Simon Davies and a right-wing cross by Bullard that saw Bobby Zamora and Johnson both waste half-chances as Everton failed to clear.
The second period opened with Cahill seeing one header fly well wide, and another attempt - from Arteta's cross - just clear the bar.
Fulham then fashioned their own chance against the woodwork when after 56 minutes Bobby Zamora chipped in a cross from the left and Zoltan Gera rose to hit the bar with a firm header.
powered home
On the hour, manager David Moyes decided to restore Cahill to an orthodox central midfield role and send on Saha up front. Fellaini, despite his promise, was taken off.
After 70 minutes Bullard saw a 20-yard free-kick saved by Howard and Zamora hit the post as the ball bounced out. Everton eventually managed to clear.
Everton then sent on another forward, Victor Anichebe, for Pienaar after 75 minutes, the last resort of an aerial bombardment being the home side's next tactic.
After 82 minutes Everton had the ball in the net after Schwarzer had fumbled a high ball, but Yakubu was penalised for a foul on the keeper.
And finally Everton took the lead after 87 minutes when Saha powered home a header from Leon Osman's cross.
Erik Nevland took over from Simon Davies soon after, but there was no time for Fulham to salvage anything.
