Afternoon all. So, after what was a dramatic afternoon in the Premier League yesterday, we've got two very big fixtures to be played today. Here we will be covering the match between Fulham and Everton, with both sides needing the three points for very different reasons.

Before we get into why this encounter is so important, the team news from Craven Cottage has started to filter through to us. Let's take a look at the home side first of all...

FULHAM XI: Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Riise; Kvist, Sidwell; Kasami, Holtby, Richardson; Dembele

FULHAM SUBS: Stekelenburg, Diarra, Kacaniklic, Dejagah, Roberts, Bent, Woodrow

Youngster Moussa Dembele will lead the Fulham attack today, with Lewis Holtby offering the support from an advanced midfield role. Elsewhere, Steve Sidwell will feature in midfield, while David Stockdale retains his place in goal. Also, the recently-signed Mahamadou Diarra has been included among the substitutes.

And now for the visiting Toffees...

EVERTON XI: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Osman; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Alcaraz, Browning, Garbutt, Naismith, Mirallas, McGeady

Despite rumours that Phil Jagielka may return to the defence following an injury-forced spell on the sidelines, Roberto Martinez has plumped for the same side that won 3-0 away at Newcastle United last week. That means that John Stones has kept his place at centre-back, with Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu also retaining their places in midfield.

Of course there was never any doubt that Leighton Baines would feature at left-back for Everton. He has just been talking to Sky Sports News and here is some of what he had to say:

"We've worked ourselves back into a position where we have an outside chance [of finishing in the top four]. All we can do is win games like this. There will be no easy rides and we expect a tough game today - Fulham will come out fighting."

Baines's opposite number today, John Arne Riise, has also been talking Sky Sports News: "We have to do what we do best - stick together as a team. We have a chance to get three points because the home games are vital to us. It's a new game and hopefully today it will be a Fulham story."

There has also been a rallying cry to his Fulham teammates from Sidwell:

Steve Sidwell is not relinquishing the Premier League badge on his sleeve without a fight http://t.co/jOafPHC8Z9 pic.twitter.com/L0qFoXWRNe — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 30, 2014

You can tell with quotes like that from Sidwell that this is the biggest game in Fulham's season to date. They are rooted to the bottom of the standings and a defeat today would leave them five points adrift of safety with six matches left to contest. On the flip side, a win would lift them up to 18th and would give them a big chance of securing their status for another campaign.

As for Everton, a defeat here would all but end their chances of finishing in the top four. A win, though, changes everything. That would leave the Toffees four points behind Arsenal in fourth, with a game in hand and the Gunners to come at Goodison Park next weekend - what a big match that could turn out to be, but they need to win this one first.

Speaking to Sky Sports News moments ago, Everton boss Martinez had this to say about this game and the race for fourth spot:

"[The race for fourth spot] is going to go down to the very last second - that's the nature of this league. The reality is that we are only looking at the factors that we can change. We've got good options and good competition for places. There are no easy games - that may be a cliche - but it's reality.

"We need to make sure that we are not affected too much by Fulham. They have four big finals left at home. They are going to be really intense and we need to defend well, as well as being ourselves."

Talking of the Everton defence, they will be up against a 17-year-old striker today in Dembele, who is making his first start for Fulham. That's a big call from Magath. Also, a penny for Darren Bent's thoughts about that selection!

PREDICTION: So, who is going to win this one then? All logic points to an Everton victory and while that is hard to dispute, Fulham should at least make things difficult today. In fact, it could well be closer than some are predicting. Let's go for plenty of goals - two apiece, which is a result that doesn't really benefit either side too greatly!

And here come the two sets of players. It's a long walk from the changing rooms at Craven Cottage to the other side of the pitch where the pre-match handshakes will take place! Anyway, not long now until we are off and running.

KICKOFF! Hosting Fulham, attacking from left to right during the first half, get this vital Premier League fixture started.

Early pressure from Everton as Romelu Lukaku raids into the Fulham box, but as he attempts to jink himself some space to get a shot away, Johnny Heitinga does well to slide in to divert the danger. Then, from the resultant corner, Richardson clears.

CHANCE! Meanwhile, up the other end, Holtby will feel that he should have done a little better. The Everton rearguard fail to clear Riise's cross and the ball sits up invitingly for the midfielder. However, his shot from 12 yards out is always rising and doesn't cause Tim Howard any problems.

More attacking from Fulham as Kasami sends an inswinging cross into the area from the right flank. Nobody gambles, though, which allows the ball the skid through for a goal kick, despite Howard being unsure.

There is not much of an atmosphere inside Craven Cottage right now. With their side in desperate need of a win, you'd expect the home faithful to be making some noise. Instead, you can hear the majority of the players on the pitch calling for a pass!

Mind you, having seen this stat, the Fulham fans may well be fearing the worst:

0 - Fulham have won none and lost six of the last eight Barclays Premier League games against Everton. Sticky. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 30, 2014

CHANCE! Only a fantastic challenge from James McCarthy has prevented Fulham from taking the lead. It seemed that Richardson was going to score from close range, but the Everton midfielder slid in at the final second to clear. Then, from the resultant corner, the angle is too narrow for Kasami as he heads wide following a flick on from Brede Hangeland. Positive signs from Fulham, nonetheless.

Although Everton haven't really got going yet, here's a another positive omen for them:

Everton have won 5 out of 5 games when Gerard Deulofeu, on loan from Barcelona, has started #fcblive #efccffc [via @goaluk @liamt67] — barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 30, 2014

Another searching cross from Kasami evades everybody, including the advancing Sidwell, who was just inches away from making contact with the ball. Everton cannot get to grips with Kasami's wing play right now.

SAVES! Dembele is starting to cause a few problems to the Everton defence as he shows great strength, before threading a pass through to Richardson. The angle is against the Fulham midfielder, but he goes for goal anyway, only for Howard to save with his feet. Moments later, Deulofeu races forward and forces Stockdale into making a smart low stop. Then, to end a frantic few seconds, Fulham's Reither is cautioned for fouling Osman.

There have been signs in recent moments that Everton are looking to get Deulofeu involved as much as possible. On occasions he's isolated Riise, who does not have much pace. It could end up being a key battle in determining the outcome of this encounter.

SAVE! Having said that, Riise can also cause problems going the other way. It's his deep cross from the left that is met at the back post by Holtby. The midfielder doesn't get much power on his header, but there is enough loop on it to force Howard to tip the ball over the bar.

BOOKING! The first caution of the match for Everton goes to Seamus Coleman, who having been tricked by Richardson, ends up pulling back to Fulham midfielder by the waist! The full-back cannot have any complaints with that decision.

Throughout his career Riise has had a habit of scoring wonder goals from distance, but he will not want to watch a replay of his most recent effort. With the ball bouncing up 25 yards from goal, the Norwegian went for power, but his strike ended up almost clearing the stand behind the goal!

Kasami is having a very good game for Fulham today. Moments ago he robbed Barry in possession and moved forwards into the Everton area. The midfielder then got his shot away, but Distin was alert enough to block, before Howard raced off his line quickly to hold the ball.

The first sign that tempers could boil over today just now following a challenge between Richardson and Deulofeu. The latter claimed that he had been elbowed by the former, but after talking to both players, referee Andrew Taylor opted to take no action.

Back concentrating on football, Deulofeu tricks his way beyond Riise and then sends a dangerous cross into the Fulham area. Any sort of touch would have diverted the ball into the net, but both Barkley and Lukaku were static as the chance passed Everton by. Deulofeu, understandably, wasn't best pleased with his teammates.

There will be just the one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

The whistle goes for the break, but just moments before Dembele had a good chance to make it a dream debut for himself. He was all alone at the back post, but his header lacked power, which allowed Howard enough time to scamper across his line to hold the ball. Still, although there was no goals, it was an entertaining 45 minutes.

While Magath will no doubt be pleased with his side for the performance that they have produced, he's likely to be disappointed that they haven't broken the deadlock. It's something that could come back to haunt them after the restart. As for as the message goes, he will probably tell them to keep doing what they have been, but ensure when the chances arrive, they are more clincial.

As for Martinez in the Everton dressing room, he will probably have a few choice words for his team. Aside from Deulofeu, who has looked lively down the right wing, they've been slack in possession, while their movement in the final third has been lacklustre. It's not the type of Everton display that we have become accustomed to so often this season.

STATS! Everton's first-half showing is best summed up by the statistics. They've managed just three shots, two of which have been on target, whereas Fulham have had a total of 13 attempts. The Toffees may have had 58% of the possession, but they've done very little productive with it.

In terms of changes, Martinez could well consider either Kevin Mirallas or Aiden McGeady. Both would provide width on the opposite flank to Deulofeu. What's more, Fulham full-back Riether is on a yellow card, so could not afford to concede another foul.

RESTART! As Everton get us back underway, they have indeed made a change. However, neither Mirallas nor McGeady are on, but instead it's Steven Naismith, who has replaced Barkley. It is understood that the England international suffered a calf complaint during that first half.

It's been a bright start from Naismith as he links well with Lukaku, only for his low cross to be cleared behind for a corner by Riise. Even so, it's the type of beginning to the half that Martinez would have demanded from his players.

It's been credited to substitute Naismith, but it could well end up going down as a Stockdale own goal. The Fulham keeper comes for a Baines corner, but gets nowhere near the ball. It drops to Naismith, who instantly strikes from the edge of the area. There is at least one deflection that sends the Scot's effort into the path of Stockdale, who was unsighted as the ball cannoned off him and into trickled over the line. How's your luck?

It's vitally important that Fulham respond positively here. They've played well and are behind to a rather unfortunate goal, but they cannot afford to let their heads drop. The next 10 minutes could be vital.

Fulham: Have now conceded in 28 of their 32 PL matches this season, keeping just 4 clean sheets - the fewest in the PL this season #FFC — WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 30, 2014

A neat interchange involving Naismith and Deulofeu frees the latter, who sends over a low cross from the right. Lukaku makes a quick move towards the near post to meet the ball, but he's ushered out of the way smartly by Hangeland, which leaves Stockdale a clear path to collect. Everton look a different side right now.

CHANCE! A big opening for Everton to open up a two-goal advantage goes begging. Naismith is at the centre of the move again as he slots a pass behind Riether for Baines, who is through on Stockdale. The angle is tight, though, so the full-back attempts to cross for Lukaku. However, there's too much pace on the chipped pass and despite the Belgian's best efforts, the opportunity is wasted.

SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change from Fulham boss Magath, who takes off Richardson and Qvist, with Dejagah and young striker Woodrow entering the action.

SAVE! Having perhaps been at fault for the Everton goal, Stockdale has just made amends. Lukaku somehow was able to bustle his way through two challenges inside the area to open up a shooting chance. There was certainly enough power in the striker's low shot from 10 yards out, but Stockdale stuck out his leg to turn the ball away.

SUBSTITUTION: After what has been a lively showing, Barcelona loanee Deulofeu is given a breather by Martinez, with Mirallas taking his place in the Everton attack.

It was a bit of a surprise to see Dejagah named among the substitutes, but after this equaliser, it's likely that he will be starting most weeks from now on! Sidwell picks him out on the left and having taken control of the ball, he beats both McCarthy and Coleman with a change of pace as he darts inside. That leaves him on the edge of the area and while the majority of players shoot across goal, Dejagah goes for the near post and manages to squeeze the ball in with a powerful strike - that's some goal!

BOOKING! That is what is known as taking one for the team! Baines knows that Fulham have plenty of men forward in a counter-attack, so he opts to bring down Sidwell and is rightly cautioned.

SAVES! It was almost a costly foul from Baines as former Everton defender Heitinga ghosts round the back post to meet the resultant free kick, but his header is well blocked by Howard. Moments later, the Everton keeper is called into action again to thwart Kasami as Fulham start to pile on the pressure.

SUBSTITUTION: Final change of the match for Everton as Osman comes off to be replaced by Irish winger McGeady.

Anything Fulham's substitutes can do...First of all McGeady collects Howard's punt forward and turns inside the Fulham half. He then picks out an onrushing Mirallas, who takes one touch, before holding off the challenge of Hangeland to curl the ball beyond the reach of Stockdale from 16 yards out. That's a really cool finish from the Belgian as Everton continue their match towards the top four.

SUBSTITUTION: It's one 17-year-old for another for Fulham as debutant Dembele is taken off and Patrick Roberts comes on. Magath has now used all of his changes and not one of them was Darren Bent!

SAVE! Roberts's first involvement was almost a costly one as he was caught dawdling in possession inside his own half. Everton work the ball to Lukaku, who reverses a pass through for Naismith. The Scot just has Stockdale to beat, but the Fulham keeper uses his big frame to block the shot.

Arsenal take note - Everton mean business as far as a top-four finish is concerned. Baines does well to react quickly to the loose ball, which he prods through for an unmarked Naismith. He was denied a couple of minutes earlier by Stockdale, but this time the frontman shows more composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net from close range. Game over.

POST! Naismith has been fantastic since his introduction at the break. He's obviously full of confidence as well because with options to his right and left, he goes for goal with a low strike from 20 yards out. It beats Stockdale all ends up, but the upright comes to Fulham's rescue. Meanwhile, there will be four minutes of stoppage time.

The travelling fans, understandably, are jubilant. Their side were impressive during the second half and are now real contenders with Arsenal for fourth place. It's a different story for Fulham, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table, five points from safety and with the worst goal difference in the division. You feel that their time as a Premier League club is running out.

That is all we have time for from Craven Cottage. If you wish to join our live text coverage of Everton's rivals Liverpool, who take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, you can do so here. Until next time, goodbye.