Fulham 1 - 3 Everton

You've got to have your doubts, haven't you?

Yet another Jol-induced impoverished performance was displayed this Sunday in an event that, whilst being pleasing on the eye, was frankly cancerous on the brain. It had its moments of inherent class from both corners of the ring, but the game was ultimately lost due to a lack of edge. And our manager's decision making should perhaps be called into serious question as well.

So, it's all not-so-rosy on the Thames any more. Shift and change? Or stick? It's our very own game of SW6 pontoon. 

Perhaps Royston Drenthe's early third minute goal set the tone, with the Dutchman taking the ball 30 yards out, switching it onto his left foot and placing it sweetly beyond Mark Schwarzer - who himself is having a torrid affair this season on the statistical front. We've conceded twelve goals so far this campaign, which isn't abysmal, but is hardly symbolic of a defence that have been founded on consistency and restriction over the last few years.

It can't all be Jol's fault though, of course, as injuries have't helped - as Chris Baird's inclusion in the centre of defence can testament - but Everton's early dominance was still somewhat unnerving. Moyes' side languished in 15th place before the game, but Jack Rodwell almost doubled the Blue's lead with a header from six yards out. His effort missed the target, however.

More aerial threats followed - Apostolos Vellios' leapt above Baird but his attempt went over Schwarzer's bar.

Danny Murphy then looked to fray Everton's abundant rhythm, but a combination of both Tim Howard and his goal's framework kept the skipper from firing home a sweetly struck 25 yard shot. Everton were clearly the more eager side, but Jol's men were carving out some respectable openings. 

Brede Hangeland displayed Fulham's second half intent, producing a characteristic yet still surprising run into enemy territory. The Norweigan skipped past various challenges but was stopped at the final trench as he approached the goalmouth.

With Fulham's relative control over the early second half exchanges, Moyes' side began to ease the tempo and few chances were created up until Bryan Ruiz's finely taken goal. Three minutes after coming on, the Costa Rican international finally offered a glimpse of the purely masterful set of defrauding tricks he has at his disposal. He received the ball on the left of Howard's penalty area before producing the deftest, most audacious and most assured chip Fulham fans have witnessed since a certain Clint Dempsey goal. As expected, the Cottage erupted and sighed in relief with equal measure.

Schwarzer was then called upon to halt Louis Saha, who himself had received a warm welcome back to the ground where he had made his goalscoring name. Zamora then spurned a wondrous opportunity, rounding Howard and firing over. Only so many guilt edged chances can be blamed on 'not being our day'.

Jol decided to shift the defence, removing Grygera and placing in Aaron Hughes - making his return from injury. The substitution was a sceptical one but wither way, Everton were looking increasingly threatening.

Louis Saha then went on to affirm that we weren't up to task, slotting past Schwarzer afer being put through on goal. Jack Rodwell added a third to compound the misery. 

No chants of 'Get Jol out', but thoughts aplenty.