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The Everton manager had emphasized before the match against Fulham that the onus for scoring goals should not fall solely on the team's forwards. “I want more goals from my centre-halves and midfielders as well,” he declared. Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane rose to the occasion, earning a fully deserved victory over Marco Silva’s toothless team.

Everton’s second victory in nine outings was largely untroubled as the visitors highlighted why their top marksman this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a short spell in the second half, the away side were kept quiet all match by the home team's greater urgency and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three goals ruled out for offside, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in first-half stoppage time and the defender's second-half header made sure there would be no comeback for the former Everton manager.

No player was more in need of scoring as much as Thierno Barry, the Everton attacker who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without testing the goalkeeper after his big-money move from Villarreal and spurned a clear opportunity to put his team two goals ahead at the Stadium of Light earlier in the week. The 23-year-old directed the earliest chance of the game wide of the Fulham keeper's crossbar when picked out by Iliman Ndiaye’s excellent delivery.

The home side dominated the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper pushed over James Garner’s 30-yard free-kick, awarded after the Fulham player was yellow-carded for hauling down the Everton midfielder. Lukic tripped the identical opponent later in the half but the official, Andrew Madley, rightly ignored Everton appeals for a second yellow. Silva was not risking anything, though, and withdrew the midfielder at the interval.

The striker believed his fortune had changed at last when arriving at the far post to turn in a drilled pass by his teammate. But the elation of a maiden strike was wiped out by an linesman's decision. Ndiaye was in an illegal position when going for the delivery, and failing to connect, and the video assistant referee supported the original call. Barry’s misfortune may have continued in front of goal, but his overall display justified the manager's choice to stick with him. His runs and work-rate occupied the opposition's back line and helped give the hosts the upper hand throughout.

The Londoners grew into the game gradually with the Norwegian and the former Everton midfielder the Nigerian combining effectively in the engine room, but the early danger from the away team was minimal. Raúl Jiménez shot tamely at the England keeper when teed up inside the area by his teammate and put a set-piece from a dangerous position straight into the defensive barrier. That summed up their attacking output.

Everton, inspired by the midfielder and the forward, had a second goal chalked off for an infringement when the Fulham goalkeeper saved a effort from Keane and the captain fired home the loose ball. The skipper had moved beyond the last defender when heading on the winger's delivery in the build-up. But the team's third attempt beating the keeper counted. Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a lovely cross to the far post when found in space on the left by Tim Iroegbunam. Tarkowski connected with a thumping header off the crossbar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his teammate Gueye converted from point-blank. The sense of release inside the ground was palpable.

The home side had a third goal ruled out early in the second half after Dewsbury-Hall found the bottom corner from a further excellent delivery from the left. Ndiaye had cushioned the delivery into Barry, who was in an offside position when competing with Joachim Anderson for the ball that fell to the home player. Everton would have to be patient until the 81st minute for the security of a two-goal lead. The provider was the creator with a corner that Keane directed over the goalkeeper. He scored with the upper body, and Fulham’s appeals for handball were rejected by VAR.

Silva’s side posed more danger following the introductions of the forward, the Brazilian and Adama Traoré. Pickford saved well with his legs to prevent Muniz finding the net with his initial involvement and denied the speedster with a crucial save late on.