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David Moyes had made clear before the match against Fulham that the responsibility for finding the back of the net must not rest only on the team's strikers. “I demand more goals from my defenders and central players as well,” he declared. Idrissa Gueye and the English defender duly obliged, earning a fully deserved victory over the opposition's toothless side.

Everton’s second win in nine matches was largely untroubled as Fulham showed why their top marksman this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a brief flurry in the latter period, the away side were kept quiet all match by the home team's superior intensity and quality. The Blues had three efforts disallowed for infringements, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in added time before the break and the defender's second-half header made sure there would be no reprieve for their ex-coach.

No player needed a goal as much as the young striker, the Goodison Park forward who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without a shot on target after his £27m summer arrival from the Spanish side and spurned a gilt-edged chance to put his team 2-0 up at the Stadium of Light on Monday. The youngster directed the first opportunity of the game over the Fulham keeper's goal frame when picked out by his teammate's fine cross.

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 booked for fouling Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Lukic tripped the identical opponent later in the half but the referee, Andrew Madley, correctly waved away home protests for a second yellow. Silva was taking no further chances, however, and withdrew the midfielder at the interval.

Barry believed his fortune had finally turned when arriving at the back post to convert a drilled pass by Gueye. But the joy of a first Everton goal was wiped out by an linesman's decision. The attacker was in an illegal position when going for Gueye’s cross, and missing, and the VAR supported the on-field decision. Barry’s misfortune may have persisted in front of goal, but his overall display validated Moyes’ decision to keep the faith. His runs and effort kept busy the opposition's back line and helped give the hosts the upper hand all game.

The Londoners came into the contest slowly with the Norwegian and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi working well in midfield, but the early danger from the visitors was minimal. The Mexican striker fired weakly at Jordon Pickford when set up in the box by his teammate and put a set-piece from a promising location straight into the Everton wall. And that was it.

Everton, inspired by Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye, had a another strike disallowed for an infringement when Leno parried a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had moved beyond the last defender when heading on the winger's delivery in the buildup. But the team's third attempt past Leno did stand. The left-back delivered a lovely cross to the far post when left unmarked on the left flank by Tim Iroegbunam. Tarkowski connected with a powerful nod against the bar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his teammate Gueye finished from close range. The sense of release inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was palpable.

The home side had a third goal disallowed after the restart after the playmaker scored from a further excellent Mykolenko cross. Ndiaye had cushioned the delivery into Barry, who was in an offside position when competing with the Fulham defender for the touch that fell to the home player. Everton would have to be patient until the 81st minute for the security of a two-goal lead. Dewsbury-Hall was the architect with a set-piece that Keane directed past the goalkeeper. He scored with the upper body, and the visitors' protests for a handball were dismissed by VAR.

Fulham carried more of a threat following the substitutions of the forward, Rodrigo Muniz and the winger. Pickford made a fine stop with his legs to prevent Muniz finding the net with his first touch and stopped the speedster with another important stop in the dying moments.