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The Everton manager had stressed before the match against Fulham that the onus for scoring goals should not rest only on his side's strikers. “I demand more goals from my centre-halves and central players as well,” he declared. The Senegalese midfielder and the English defender responded perfectly, earning a fully deserved victory over the opposition's ineffective side.

Everton’s second victory in nine outings was relatively comfortable as Fulham showed why their top marksman this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a short spell in the second half, the away side were subdued all match by Everton’s greater urgency and quality. Moyes’ team had three efforts disallowed for infringements, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in first-half stoppage time and Keane’s second-half header ensured there would be no comeback for their ex-coach.

No one was more in need of scoring more than the young striker, the Goodison Park forward who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without testing the goalkeeper after his £27m summer arrival from the Spanish side and spurned a clear opportunity to put his team two goals ahead at the Stadium of Light on Monday. The 23-year-old headed the earliest chance of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s crossbar when found by his teammate's excellent delivery.

The home side dominated the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over the midfielder's long-range set-piece, given after Sasa Lukic was yellow-carded for hauling down the Everton midfielder. Lukic brought down the same player 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 interval.

Barry thought his luck had changed at last when sliding in at the far post to turn in a low cross by Gueye. But the elation of a maiden strike was erased by an linesman's decision. The attacker was offside when going for the delivery, and missing, and the video assistant referee supported the original call. Barry’s misfortune may have continued in front of goal, but his overall display justified 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 all game.

The Londoners grew into the game gradually with the Norwegian and the ex-Goodison player the Nigerian working well in midfield, but the early danger from the visitors was limited. The Mexican striker fired weakly at the England keeper when set up inside the area by Iwobi and sent a set-piece from a dangerous position straight into the defensive barrier. And that was it.

The Blues, inspired by Dewsbury-Hall and the forward, 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 skipper had moved beyond the last defender when heading on the winger's cross in the buildup. But the team's next effort past Leno counted. Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a perfect ball to the back post when found in space on the left flank by the youngster. Tarkowski connected with a thumping header off the crossbar and, though the midfielder fluffed his lines, his midfield partner the scorer converted from close range. The relief inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was evident.

The home side had a further effort ruled out 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 challenging the Fulham defender 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 set-piece that Keane glanced past the goalkeeper. He did so with the back of his shoulder, and the visitors' protests for a handball were dismissed by VAR.

Silva’s side posed more danger following the substitutions of Josh King, Rodrigo Muniz and the winger. The Everton keeper made a fine stop with his legs to prevent Muniz finding the net with his first touch and stopped the speedster with a crucial save in the dying moments.