CLAUS JENSEN'S deflected second-half strike gave Fulham the points at Craven Cottage as Everton failed to hit the back of the net for the first time this season.

The Toffees still have not beaten Fulham in London since 1966 but it was Jensen who was the keenest on the day to make up for lost time.

The Dane missed almost all of last season through injury and was only in the side because other midfielders were absent but put in a performance that helped turn Fulham fans' initial boos into hearty cheers Before that, Everton's Andrew Johnson had been the game's most significant individual. He came close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute by latching on to a long throw from the right by Phil Neville that had been helped on its way by the head of Tim Cahill. The England striker showed his predatory instincts by losing no time in firing in a shot from eight yards but Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi reacted quickly enough to tip it round his left-hand post.

Another side to Johnson's game is his habit of going down in the box and it was not long before referee Mike Atkinson had a decision to make on that score. Johnson had certainly been first to the ball as Ian Pearce came in to challenge but the official was quick to make it clear play was to continue.

Niemi pulled off another fine stop to tip over a header from Leon Osman, who had arrived beyond the last defender at pace, although it would not have mattered if he had not as an offside flag had been raised. And that saved Johnson's blushes towards the end of the half after Neville had been booked for a late challenge on ex-Evertonian Tomasz Radzinski.

Cahill's cross from the left was just perfect for the forward who met it no more than four yards in front of the front post yet somehow poked it over with Niemi helpless.

Fulham started sluggishly in the second half, allowing Cahill and Mikel Arteta the time and space to set up Simon Davies for a shot that was deflected across goal and just wide. But as the half progressed the home side looked to have discovered some confidence at last and that was soon translated into the winner when Jensen fired home side in the 66th minute, with his shot from the edge of the box looping over Howard thanks to a deflection off Lee Carsley as he moved in to close Jensen down.