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Fulham manager Parker hopeful of 'great escape' after Maja double topples Everton

Fulham claimed a stunning 2-0 win over Everton to keep alive their hopes of escaping relegation.

Josh Maja was the hero for Fulham, with the January signing scoring both goals in his first start for the club.

The visiting Cottagers were by far the better side throughout the 90 minutes, and they deservedly went ahead after 48 minutes when slid in to turn home Ola Aina's cross from close range.

Maja, signed on loan from Bordeaux last month, tapped in his second with 25 minutes remaining.

Joshua King thought he had scored for Everton but the goal was ruled out for offside, capping off a poor night for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

The Toffees remain in seventh, four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

Although they still have a lot of work to do, the result is huge for Fulham as they now sit just seven points behind 18th-placed Newcastle United.

Scott Parker's side next travel to fellow relegation battlers Burnley, while Everton take on Manchester City on Wednesday.

Asked about about his side's chances of making a 'great escape' for relegation, Parker said: "Hopefully (great escape). That is how we go about our work, we have been drawing too many games and we need to be winning them. We now go into two massive games and onto the rest of the season.

"I have got full belief in this team, I honestly have. People judge performances on wins and losses, I have a different view because I see it everyday and have to be more rational looking at my team. It gives me constant belief.

"I know what we need to do and the players do too. We can't control what is around us, we just need to go out and win football matches. If we do that I know it will be OK.

"They said our record here was not great but it is irrelevant to me and I am happy to get the win."

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Freddie Taylor

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