Injury returns boost Fulham

Duncan Ferguson led the line for Everton looking for his third goal in as many games to help seal the fourth Champions League place at Fulham.

Marcus Bent and Steve Watson were also among the starters with £6m (€8.9m) James Beattie back on the bench.

Fulham, a bogey team for Everton who had not beaten them for 39 years, were still trying to banish the spectre of relegation but had the powerful Papa Bouba Diop returning to the line-up after a month out with hamstring trouble.

Top scorer Andy Cole was also back after injury but only on the bench as manager Chris Coleman stuck with Collins John, despite just four points from the previous 10 league games.

Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Goma, Rosenior, Radzinski, Diop, Clark, Boa Morte, McBride, John. Subs: Bocanegra, Pembridge, Cole, Jensen, Crossley.

Everton: Martyn, Watson, Weir, Yobo, Pistone, Bent, Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Kilbane, Ferguson. Subs: Beattie, McFadden, Osman, Plessis, Wright.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)