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The Everton manager had stressed before the match against Fulham that the onus for finding the back of the net should not rest only on the team's forwards. “I demand more goals from my defenders and midfielders as well,” he declared. Idrissa Gueye and the English defender duly obliged, securing a fully deserved victory over the opposition's ineffective team.

Everton’s second win in nine outings was largely untroubled as Fulham highlighted why their leading scorer this season is opposition own goals. Apart from a short spell in the latter period, the away side were subdued throughout by the home team's superior intensity and quality. Moyes’ team had three goals ruled out for offside, but a poacher’s finish from the midfielder in added time before the break and Keane’s late conversion made sure there would be no reprieve for their ex-coach.

No one needed a goal as much as Thierno Barry, the Goodison Park 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 missed a gilt-edged chance to put his team 2-0 up at Sunderland on Monday. The youngster headed the first opportunity of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s crossbar when picked out by Iliman Ndiaye’s excellent delivery.

Everton controlled the early exchanges and the Fulham goalkeeper pushed over James Garner’s long-range set-piece, given after Sasa Lukic was yellow-carded for hauling down the Everton midfielder. Lukic brought down the identical opponent later in the half but the referee, Andrew Madley, correctly waved away Everton appeals for a second yellow. Silva was taking no further chances, though, and substituted the midfielder at the break.

Barry thought his luck had finally turned when sliding in at the far post to convert a drilled pass by Gueye. But the joy of a first Everton goal 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 VAR supported the on-field decision. The forward's bad luck may have continued in front of goal, but his all-round performance validated the manager's choice to keep the faith. His runs and work-rate occupied the opposition's back line and helped give the hosts the upper hand throughout.

Fulham came into the contest gradually with Sander Berge and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi working well in midfield, but the first half threat from the away team was minimal. The Mexican striker shot tamely at the England keeper when set up in the box by Iwobi and sent a free-kick from a dangerous position straight into the defensive barrier. And that was it.

The Blues, driven on by the midfielder and the forward, had a another strike chalked off for an infringement when Leno saved a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski volleyed in the rebound. The skipper had moved offside when heading on Jack Grealish’s cross in the build-up. But the team's next effort past Leno counted. The left-back floated a perfect ball to the back post when found in space on the left flank by the youngster. Tarkowski connected with a powerful nod against the bar and, though the midfielder mishit the rebound, his midfield partner Gueye converted from point-blank. The relief inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was evident.

Everton had a third goal ruled out after the restart after Dewsbury-Hall scored from a further excellent delivery from the left. The attacker had cushioned the delivery into Barry, who was offside 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 comfort of a two-goal lead. The provider was the architect with a corner that the defender glanced past Leno. He did so with the back of his shoulder, and the visitors' protests for handball were rejected by the video official.

Fulham carried more of a threat following the introductions of Josh King, Rodrigo Muniz and Adama Traoré. Pickford made a fine stop with his feet to prevent Muniz finding the net with his first touch and denied Traoré with a crucial save late on.