Duncan Ferguson Hails Everton star as his MOTM in Everton’s Triumph Over Fulham – Not Dewsbury-Hall

Duncan Ferguson Hails Everton star as his MOTM in Everton’s Triumph Over Fulham – Not Dewsbury-Hall

In the electric atmosphere of Goodison Park – or as it’s now known, the Hill Dickinson Stadium – Everton secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Fulham on November 8, 2025, snapping a three-match winless streak in the Premier League. Goals from midfield enforcer Idrissa Gana Gueye and centre-back Michael Keane lit up a crisp Merseyside evening, but it was Gueye’s all-action display that stole the show. Everton legend and club ambassador Duncan Ferguson, speaking post-match on Sky Sports, didn’t hesitate when naming his Man of the Match: “Idrissa Gueye, by a mile. The lad was everywhere – breaking up play, driving forward, and capping it with that goal. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dazzled with his creativity, but Idrissa was the heartbeat.

“Ferguson, the towering Scottish striker who terrorized defenders during his 1994-2006 Everton tenure, knows a thing or two about grit. Nicknamed “Big Dunc,” he scored 68 goals for the Toffees and became a symbol of unyielding passion. Now 59, he’s a revered figure at the club, often sharing insights on matchdays. His praise for Gueye carried extra weight, given the Senegalese’s resurgence under manager David Moyes. “I’ve seen midfielders come and go,” Ferguson added, his gravelly voice booming through the studio, “but Gueye’s got that old-school tenacity. He reminds me of the battles we fought in the ’90s – no nonsense, all heart.”

The match itself was a testament to Everton’s resilience. From the opening whistle, the Toffees pressed with intent, their summer signings blending seamlessly into Moyes’ pragmatic setup. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the £30m Leicester import, was the early spark. The 26-year-old winger terrorized. Dewsbury-Hall’s vision shone again midway through the half, whipping in a pinpoint cross for Thierno Barry, whose unmarked header sailed harmlessly wide – a glaring miss that had Goodison groaning.

Fulham, under Marco Silva, looked toothless on the road, extending their winless away streak to five. Their midfield duo of Lukic and Sander Berge struggled against Everton’s tenacity, with Lukic lucky to avoid a second yellow for felling Dewsbury-Hall twice. The Serbian’s halftime withdrawal for Josh King did little to stem the tide. Everton’s dominance yielded chances aplenty: James Tarkowski’s goal was ruled offside after Keane’s header was parried, and Dewsbury-Hall himself had a sweeping finish chalked off for the same infringement. The crowd’s frustration mounted, but Gueye remained the calm anchor.

As stoppage time loomed in the first half, Gueye’s moment arrived. After Tarkowski’s header clattered off the crossbar, the 35-year-old pounced on the loose ball, rifling a low drive past Leno from 20 yards. It was his second goal of the season – already surpassing last year’s tally – and sent the 39,000-strong faithful into rapture. Ferguson, watching from the directors’ box, punched the air. “That’s why he’s MOTM,” he later quipped. “Not just the goal, but the 12 tackles, the interceptions. Dewsbury-Hall created magic, but Idrissa made it stick.”

The second half brought relief when Keane nodded home a Dewsbury-Hall corner in the 81st minute, his flicked header looping beyond Leno. Substitutions – Jake O’Brien for the tiring Dewsbury-Hall, Dwight McNeil for Iliman Ndiaye – preserved the lead as Fulham pushed belatedly through Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez. Jordan Pickford’s fingertip save on Chukwueze’s curler sealed it, but Gueye’s engine room mastery had long decided the contest.

For Moyes, it’s a vital three points, lifting Everton to within striking distance of third place. Gueye, ever the quiet warrior, deflected praise post-match: “Team effort, but happy to contribute.” Ferguson, though, was unequivocal. His nod to Gueye over the flashier Dewsbury-Hall underscores Everton’s enduring ethos: substance over style. In a league of superstars, Big Dunc’s verdict reminds us why the Toffees endure – through players like Idrissa, who bleed blue.