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The Everton manager had made clear before Fulham's visit that the onus for scoring goals should not rest only on his side's strikers. “I want more goals from my defenders and midfielders as well,” he stated. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane rose to the occasion, earning a well-earned victory over the opposition's ineffective side.

The Merseyside club's second victory in nine outings was largely untroubled as the visitors highlighted the reason their leading scorer this season is goals gifted by opponents. Apart from a brief flurry in the second half, the away side were contained all match by the home team's superior intensity and quality. Moyes’ team had three efforts disallowed for infringements, but a poacher’s finish from Gueye in first-half stoppage time and Keane’s late conversion made sure there would be no comeback for the former Everton manager.

No one needed a goal as much as the young striker, the Everton forward who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without testing the goalkeeper after his £27m summer arrival from Villarreal and missed a gilt-edged chance to put his team 2-0 up at Sunderland on Monday. The youngster directed the earliest chance of the game over Bernd Leno’s crossbar when found by his teammate's fine cross.

Everton controlled 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 hauling down the Everton midfielder. Lukic brought down the identical opponent again before halftime but the official, Andrew Madley, rightly ignored home protests for a sending off. The Fulham boss was taking no further chances, however, and substituted the midfielder at the break.

The striker thought his luck had changed at last when arriving at the back post to convert a low cross by Gueye. 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 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 validated the manager's choice to stick with him. His runs and effort occupied the opposition's back line and helped give Everton the edge throughout.

The Londoners grew into the game gradually with Sander Berge and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi combining effectively in midfield, but the early danger from the away team was limited. The Mexican striker fired weakly at Jordon Pickford when teed up in the box by Iwobi and sent a set-piece from a dangerous position straight into the defensive barrier. That summed up their attacking output.

Everton, driven on by the midfielder and the forward, had a second goal disallowed for an infringement when the Fulham goalkeeper parried a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had moved offside when heading on Jack Grealish’s delivery in the buildup. But Everton’s third attempt beating Leno did stand. The left-back floated a lovely cross to the far post when left unmarked on the left flank by the youngster. The defender connected with a powerful nod against the bar and, though Iroegbunam fluffed his lines, his midfield partner Gueye converted from close range. The relief inside the ground was evident.

The home side had a further effort disallowed after the restart after the playmaker found the bottom corner from a further excellent Mykolenko cross. 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 closing stages for the comfort of a two-goal lead. Dewsbury-Hall was the creator with a set-piece that the defender glanced over Leno. He did so with the upper body, and Fulham’s appeals for handball were rejected by VAR.

Silva’s side carried more of a threat after the introductions of Josh King, Rodrigo Muniz and the winger. The Everton keeper saved well with his feet to deny the substitute finding the net with his initial involvement and stopped the speedster with another important stop late on.