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David Moyes had emphasized 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 stated. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane duly obliged, delivering a well-earned victory over Marco Silva’s ineffective team.

The Merseyside club's second victory in nine outings was largely untroubled as Fulham showed the reason their leading scorer this season is goals gifted by opponents. Apart from a brief flurry in the latter period, the away side were kept quiet throughout by the home team's superior intensity and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three goals ruled out for infringements, but a close-range strike from the midfielder in added time before the break and the defender's second-half header ensured there would be no reprieve for their ex-coach.

No one needed a goal as much as Thierno Barry, the Everton 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 Villarreal and missed a gilt-edged chance to put his team two goals ahead at the Stadium of Light earlier in the week. The youngster headed the earliest chance of the game over Bernd Leno’s crossbar when picked out by his teammate's excellent delivery.

The home side controlled the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over the midfielder's 30-yard free-kick, awarded after Sasa Lukic was yellow-carded for hauling down the Everton midfielder. The Serbian brought down the same player again before halftime but the referee, the man in charge, correctly waved away Everton appeals for a second yellow. Silva was taking no further chances, though, and withdrew the midfielder at the break.

The striker believed his fortune had changed at last when arriving at the far post to convert a low cross by Gueye. But the elation of a maiden strike 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 persisted in front of goal, but his overall display validated Moyes’ decision to stick with him. His movement and effort kept busy Fulham’s central defenders and helped give the hosts the edge throughout.

The Londoners came into the contest 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 limited. The Mexican striker shot tamely 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, driven on by Dewsbury-Hall and the forward, had a second goal chalked off for offside when the Fulham goalkeeper saved a Keane header and James Tarkowski volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had moved offside when heading on the winger's delivery in the buildup. But the team's next effort beating the keeper counted. Vitalii Mykolenko delivered a perfect ball to the back post when left unmarked on the left flank by the youngster. Tarkowski connected with a thumping header against the bar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his teammate Gueye converted from close range. The relief inside the ground was palpable.

The home side had a further effort ruled out early in the second half after Dewsbury-Hall found the bottom corner from another inviting delivery from the left. Ndiaye had laid off the ball into Barry, who was offside when competing with the Fulham defender for the ball that reached the Everton midfielder. Everton would have to be patient until the closing stages for the comfort of a second goal. Dewsbury-Hall was the creator with a corner that the defender directed over Leno. He did so with the upper body, and Fulham’s appeals for a handball were rejected by VAR.

Fulham carried more of a threat after the introductions of the forward, the Brazilian and Adama Traoré. The Everton keeper saved well with his legs to prevent Muniz scoring with his first touch and stopped the speedster with another important stop in the dying moments.