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Louis Saha scored an 86th-minute first goal for Everton as they earned their first home win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Goodison Park.

The home side had the lion's share of the possession, but it was Fulham who came closest to breaking the deadlock when they twice hit the woodwork in the second half after Marouane Fellaini had earlier scuffed an effort against the post for Everton.

However, with frustrations growing in the stands, substitute Saha headed a late winner to give Everton successive league victories and a move into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

The result extends Everton's winning run against Fulham at Goodison Park to 16 and means the west Londoners have taken just a single point from five away matches this season.

Everton dominated the first half possession, without really creating too much in the way of clear-cut opportunities. Fellaini came the closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the post with a scuffed effort from 14 yards, with Aaron Hughes doing well to block Yakubu's effort from the rebound.

At the other end, Andy Johnson had a half-chance to score against the club he left in the summer when the ball broke to him from Jimmy Bullard's fine cross from the right, but the little striker could not work the space to get his shot away, Joleon Lescott out-muscling Bobby Zamora on the edge of the six-yard box as the ball deflected into his path.

The home side had a strong penalty claim turned down in the final minutes of the half when Brede Hangeland climbed all over the impressive Fellaini when they contested a throw-in tossed into the box.

Everton started the second half well, and Cahill might have got the breakthrough when he met Mikel Arteta's cross, but the Australian - back in the side after missing the win at Bolton in midweek - could not keep his header down.

The home fans were growing frustrated at their side's inability to grab a goal despite their dominance and Fulham almost made Everton pay.

First, on the hour mark, Zoltan Gera somehow managed to plant his unchallenged header against the crossbar from just five yards out as he came through a crowd to meet Zamora's cross.

And then Zamora himself hit the woodwork when Bullard brought a save out of Tim Howard with a free-kick and Zamora from the rebound, Zamora scuffed a shot across the face of goal and against the far post.

Moyes threw on Saha and fellow forwards Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan from the bench as he went in search of a winner, although it looked like the game would remain goalless.

That was until Saha rose to head Leon Osman's right-wing cross past Mark Schwarzer from seven yards, the keeper not reacting in time as the ball flew past his right hand.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport