Everton dropped to the bottom of the Premier League as its winless start to the season continued with a drab goalless draw at Fulham.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the first half, but without injured strikers Louis Saha and Victor Anichebe, they struggled to test Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer.
Fulham had a good chance in the second half but Everton 'keeper Tim Howard made a smart save to deny his United States teammate Clint Dempsey.
Schwarzer was much busier in the final half hour, saving twice from Yakubu, who also missed a good chance with only seconds remaining to ensure Everton's poor run continued.
David Moyes' side has three points after six Premier League games and went out of the League Cup in midweek to third-tier club Brentford. The Toffees have scored only four league goals, three of them against Manchester United.
However, Moyes saw reasons for optimism in his team's performance at Craven Cottage.
''It's one way up now. Someone has to be bottom and it's us at this present time,'' Moyes told the Press Association. ''I don't think we look like a bottom-of-the-league team but we are, so we have to get out of it. It's up to us to put it right.
''We just have to keep doing what we're doing. We'll keep playing. There was no lack of confidence from us against Fulham. We tried to do the right things. The spirit's good. The players are all together and are all working for the cause to get a result.
''My belief is that we have a really good team. That's never changed.''
Fulham manager Mark Hughes agreed with Moyes that Everton is a better side than its league position might suggest.
''Everton showed today that they're in a false position and it's clear they're a very good side,'' Hughes said. ''They're at the wrong end of the table but I don't anticipate that lasting for long.''
