Relegated Fulham hit Everton's hopes of Europa League qualification for next season as they beat them 2-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from captain Tom Cairney and Ryan Babel.

After an action-packed but goalless first half, Cairney broke the deadlock seconds after the restart when Babel raced down the left and into the area before cutting the ball back.

Cairney, one of Fulham's promotion-winning heroes last season, lashed his first Premier League goal in low past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, putting his side on track for only their fifth win of a miserable campaign in the top flight.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost levelled 10 minutes later when his curling shot beat Sergio Rico in the Fulham goal but bounced off the post.

But Babel sealed the win for Fulham in the 69th minute, making a solo run from the halfway line before coolly chipping over Pickford.

Everton's loss means they stay ninth on 46 points. They need to finish seventh to secure Europa League football, and manager Marco Silva said: "We expected a tough match. We didn't perform, and we were unbalanced on the pitch. It was a bad day for us."

Fulham's win leaves the Londoners second from bottom on 20 points, and boss Scott Parker praised them as "superb from start to finish."