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David Moyes had emphasized before Fulham's visit that the onus for scoring goals must not rest only on his side's forwards. “I demand more goals from my defenders and central players as well,” he declared. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane responded perfectly, securing a fully deserved victory over the opposition's toothless side.

Everton’s second victory in nine matches was largely untroubled as Fulham showed the reason their leading scorer this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a short spell in the latter period, the away side were contained all match by Everton’s superior intensity and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three efforts ruled out for infringements, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in first-half stoppage time and Keane’s late conversion ensured there would be no comeback for the former Everton manager.

No one needed a goal more than Thierno Barry, the Goodison Park forward who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without a shot on target after his big-money move from the Spanish side and spurned a gilt-edged chance to put his team two goals ahead at the Stadium of Light earlier in the week. The youngster headed the first opportunity of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s goal frame when found by his teammate's fine cross.

Everton controlled the early exchanges and the Fulham goalkeeper tipped over the midfielder's long-range set-piece, given after the Fulham player was booked for fouling Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Serbian brought down the identical opponent later in the half but the official, Andrew Madley, correctly waved away Everton appeals for a second yellow. Silva was taking no further chances, however, and withdrew the player at the break.

Barry thought his fortune had changed at last when sliding in at the back post to convert a drilled pass by Gueye. But the elation of a first Everton goal was wiped out by an linesman's decision. The attacker was in an illegal position when attacking Gueye’s cross, and failing to connect, and the video assistant referee backed up the on-field decision. Barry’s misfortune may have continued in the final third, but his all-round performance justified the manager's choice to keep the faith. His movement and work-rate occupied the opposition's back line and contributed to Everton the upper hand throughout.

Fulham came into the contest gradually with Sander Berge and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi combining effectively in midfield, but the early danger from the visitors was limited. Raúl Jiménez fired weakly at Jordon Pickford when set up in the box by Iwobi and sent a set-piece from a dangerous position directly at the defensive barrier. That summed up their attacking output.

The Blues, inspired by the midfielder and Ndiaye, had a another strike disallowed for an infringement when the Fulham goalkeeper parried a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski volleyed in the loose ball. The home captain had just strayed beyond the last defender when nodding down the winger's cross in the buildup. But Everton’s third attempt beating Leno did stand. Vitalii Mykolenko floated a lovely cross to the far post when left unmarked on the left flank by the youngster. Tarkowski met it with a powerful nod off the crossbar and, though the midfielder mishit the rebound, his midfield partner Gueye converted from close range. The relief inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was evident.

The home side had a third goal disallowed after the restart after Dewsbury-Hall scored from a further excellent delivery from the left. Ndiaye had laid off the delivery into Barry, who was offside when challenging Joachim Anderson for the touch that fell to the Everton midfielder. 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 Leno. He scored with the upper body, and the visitors' protests for a handball were rejected by the video official.

Fulham posed more danger after the introductions of Josh King, the Brazilian and Adama Traoré. The Everton keeper saved well with his legs to prevent Muniz scoring with his first touch and denied Traoré with a crucial save late on.