Marco Silva expects a tough test from a rejuvenated Everton side when his former employers visit Craven Cottage tomorrow night.

The Toffees’ cruised past Crystal Palace last weekend at Goodison Park to end a run of three consecutive defeats and the Fulham boss believes Frank Lampard’s team will be travelling to London in good spirits. He told his pre-match press conference this afternoon:

“They reacted really well in their last game after the three defeats in a row. The reaction from them at home was really good. They will come here in a good mood but they know that they will play against a team that is in a very good moment as well.

We really enjoy to play each game at home with our fans behind us. We have to be as competitive as we can to beat them to take the three points, knowing that it will be a tough game. I think it will be a good game, both teams will want to win the match, and I think we can enjoy the game.”

Silva played down the significance of his first meeting with his old club since being sacked by Everton in December 2019.

“It is completely the same. It will be good to see some people who we shared very good moments with, others not so good. It’s part of our life, our careers as well, be good to see some good people, some good professionals as well. Before the match, after the match, during the match, we want to win. They want the same, and I think it will be a normal game.”

The Portuguese head coach is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite Fulham moving into seventh in the Premier League table after taking seven points from their last three matches.

“The position in the table is not the most important thing for us right now. Of course, after each match we will look for that and if you are in a good position of course you are proud, and we are pleased for that. But it’s not the main thing right now.

We know that there will be three points [available] again tomorrow, and we want to fight for it. As much as we can, we’ll fight for it. With the fans behind us, they will play a key part again tomorrow. All together, we can be stronger, and that is the main thing.”