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The Everton manager had made clear before Fulham's visit that the responsibility for scoring goals must not rest only on the team's forwards. “I want more goals from my centre-halves and central players as well,” he stated. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane responded perfectly, delivering a fully deserved victory over the opposition's toothless side.

Everton’s second win in nine matches was relatively comfortable as the visitors highlighted the reason their leading scorer this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a short spell in the second half, the away side were subdued throughout by the home team's greater urgency and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three efforts ruled out for infringements, but a close-range strike from Gueye in added time before the break and the defender's second-half header made sure there would be no comeback for the former Everton manager.

No one was more in need of scoring more than Thierno Barry, the Goodison Park attacker who had gone 10 Premier League outings without testing the goalkeeper after his big-money move from the Spanish side and spurned a gilt-edged chance to put his team two goals ahead at Sunderland on Monday. The youngster directed the first opportunity of the game over the Fulham keeper's crossbar when found by his teammate's fine cross.

Everton controlled the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over James Garner’s long-range set-piece, awarded after Sasa Lukic was yellow-carded for hauling down Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Serbian brought down the identical opponent later in the half but the official, the man in charge, correctly waved away Everton appeals for a second yellow. Silva was not risking anything, though, and withdrew the player at the interval.

The striker thought his luck had changed at last when sliding in at the back post to convert a drilled pass by Gueye. But the joy of a first Everton goal was erased by an assistant referee’s flag. Ndiaye was in an illegal position when going for the delivery, and failing to connect, and the video assistant referee supported the on-field decision. The forward's bad luck may have continued in front of goal, but his all-round performance justified Moyes’ decision to stick with him. His movement and effort kept busy Fulham’s central defenders and helped give Everton the edge all game.

The Londoners grew into the game gradually with the Norwegian and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi combining effectively in the engine room, but the early danger from the away team was minimal. The Mexican striker shot tamely at Jordon Pickford when set up inside the area by his teammate and put a free-kick from a promising location straight into the defensive barrier. That summed up their attacking output.

Everton, driven on by the midfielder and Ndiaye, had a second goal chalked off for offside when Leno parried a effort from Keane and the captain volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had moved offside when heading on the winger's cross in the buildup. But Everton’s third attempt past Leno counted. The left-back delivered a lovely cross to the far post when found in space on the left by the youngster. The defender connected with a thumping header against the bar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his midfield partner the scorer converted from point-blank. The sense of release inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was palpable.

The home side had a third goal disallowed early in the second half after the playmaker scored from a further excellent Mykolenko cross. Ndiaye had cushioned the ball into the striker, who was in an offside position when competing with the Fulham defender for the ball that reached the home player. The team would have to wait until the 81st minute for the security of a second goal. Dewsbury-Hall was the architect with a set-piece that the defender directed past the goalkeeper. He scored with the back of his shoulder, and Fulham’s appeals for handball were rejected by VAR.

Fulham carried more of a threat after the introductions of Josh King, the Brazilian and Adama Traoré. Pickford made a fine stop with his legs to prevent the substitute finding the net with his initial involvement and denied Traoré with another important stop in the dying moments.