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The Everton manager had emphasized before the match against Fulham that the onus for finding the back of the net must not fall solely on his side's forwards. “I demand more goals from my defenders and central players as well,” he insisted. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane rose to the occasion, earning a well-earned victory over the opposition's toothless team.

Everton’s second victory in nine matches was relatively comfortable as the visitors showed the reason their top marksman this season is opposition own goals. Aside from a short spell in the latter period, the visitors were contained all match by the home team's superior intensity and quality. The Blues had three goals disallowed for infringements, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in first-half stoppage time and Keane’s second-half header ensured there would be no reprieve for their ex-coach.

No player was more in need of scoring as much as the young striker, the Everton forward who had gone 10 Premier League outings without a shot on target after his big-money move from Villarreal and spurned a gilt-edged chance to put his team 2-0 up at Sunderland earlier in the week. The 23-year-old headed the earliest chance of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s goal frame when found by his teammate's excellent delivery.

The home side controlled the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over James Garner’s 30-yard free-kick, given after Sasa Lukic was yellow-carded for hauling down Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Serbian tripped the same player again before halftime but the referee, the man in charge, correctly waved away home protests for a second yellow. The Fulham boss was taking no further chances, though, and withdrew the midfielder at the break.

Barry believed his fortune had changed at last when sliding in at the back post to convert a drilled pass by his teammate. But the elation of a first Everton goal was erased by an assistant referee’s flag. The attacker was offside when going for the delivery, and missing, and the video assistant referee supported the on-field decision. Barry’s misfortune may have persisted in front of goal, but his overall display justified Moyes’ decision to keep the faith. His movement and work-rate occupied the opposition's back line and helped give the hosts the edge throughout.

The Londoners came into the contest slowly with the Norwegian and the ex-Goodison player Alex Iwobi combining effectively in midfield, but the early danger from the away team was limited. The Mexican striker shot tamely at the England keeper when teed up inside the area by his teammate and put a free-kick from a dangerous position directly at the defensive barrier. And that was it.

The Blues, driven on by Dewsbury-Hall and the forward, had a another strike disallowed for an infringement when Leno parried a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski fired home the rebound. The home captain had moved beyond the last defender when nodding down Jack Grealish’s delivery in the buildup. But the team's third attempt past Leno did stand. Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a perfect ball to the back post when left unmarked on the left by Tim Iroegbunam. Tarkowski connected with a thumping header against the bar and, though the midfielder mishit the rebound, his midfield partner Gueye finished from close range. The sense of release inside the ground was evident.

Everton had a third goal ruled out after the restart after the playmaker scored from another inviting Mykolenko cross. The attacker had laid off the ball into the striker, who was in an offside position when competing with the Fulham defender for the touch that fell to the Everton midfielder. Everton would have to be patient until the 81st minute for the comfort of a second goal. The provider was the architect with a set-piece that the defender glanced over Leno. He scored with the back of his shoulder, and Fulham’s appeals for handball were rejected by VAR.

Silva’s side carried more of a threat after the introductions of the forward, the Brazilian and the winger. The Everton keeper saved well with his legs to prevent the substitute finding the net with his first touch and denied Traoré with a crucial save late on.