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David Moyes had emphasized before the match against Fulham that the responsibility for finding the back of the net should not rest only on his side's strikers. “I demand more goals from my defenders and central players as well,” he declared. Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane duly obliged, securing a well-earned victory over Marco Silva’s toothless side.

The Merseyside club's second victory in nine matches was fairly straightforward as Fulham demonstrated why their leading scorer this season is goals gifted by opponents. Apart from a short spell in the second half, the away side were subdued all match by Everton’s greater urgency and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three goals ruled out for offside, but a close-range strike from Gueye in added time before the break and the defender's late conversion made sure there would be no comeback for the former Everton manager.

No player was more in need of scoring more than 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 the Spanish side and spurned a gilt-edged chance to put his team two goals ahead at the Stadium of Light on Monday. The youngster directed the first opportunity of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s goal frame when found by his teammate's excellent delivery.

Everton 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 fouling the Everton midfielder. The Serbian brought down the same player again before halftime but the referee, Andrew Madley, rightly ignored home protests for a second yellow. Silva was not risking anything, however, and withdrew the player at the interval.

Barry believed his luck had finally turned when arriving at the back post to convert a low cross by Gueye. But the elation of a maiden strike was erased by an linesman's decision. Ndiaye was offside when going for the delivery, and failing to connect, and the video assistant referee backed up the original call. The forward's bad luck may have continued in front of goal, but his all-round performance validated the manager's choice to stick with him. His movement and work-rate occupied Fulham’s central defenders and helped give the hosts the upper hand throughout.

The Londoners grew into the game slowly with the Norwegian and the ex-Goodison player Alex Iwobi combining effectively in midfield, but the early danger from the visitors was limited. The Mexican striker shot tamely at Jordon Pickford when set up inside the area by Iwobi and sent a free-kick from a dangerous position straight into the Everton wall. That summed up their attacking output.

The Blues, driven on by the midfielder and the forward, had a second goal disallowed for offside when the Fulham goalkeeper saved a effort from Keane and James Tarkowski volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had just strayed beyond the last defender when heading on Jack Grealish’s delivery in the buildup. But the team's next effort past the keeper counted. The left-back floated a lovely cross to the far post when left unmarked on the left by Tim Iroegbunam. The defender met it with a thumping header against the bar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his midfield partner the scorer finished from close range. The relief inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was palpable.

The home side had a further effort disallowed early in the second half after the playmaker found the bottom corner from another inviting delivery from the left. Ndiaye had laid off the ball into Barry, who was in an offside position when challenging Joachim Anderson for the ball that reached the home player. Everton would have to wait until the closing stages for the comfort of a two-goal lead. The provider was the architect with a corner that the defender directed past Leno. He did so with the upper body, and Fulham’s appeals for a handball were dismissed by the video official.

Fulham posed more danger following the introductions of Josh King, the Brazilian and Adama Traoré. Pickford saved well with his legs to prevent Muniz scoring with his first touch and denied the speedster with a crucial save in the dying moments.