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David Moyes had emphasized before Fulham's visit that the responsibility for finding the back of the net must not fall solely on the team's forwards. “I demand more goals from my centre-halves and central players as well,” he stated. The Senegalese midfielder and Michael Keane rose to the occasion, earning a well-earned victory over the opposition's toothless side.

The Merseyside club's second victory in nine matches was relatively comfortable as Fulham highlighted why their top marksman this season is opposition own goals. Aside from a brief flurry in the latter period, the visitors were contained all match by Everton’s greater urgency and technical ability. The Blues had three efforts ruled out for infringements, 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 reprieve for the former Everton manager.

No one needed a goal as much as Thierno Barry, the Goodison Park forward who had failed to register a shot on target in 10 league games without a shot on target after his £27m summer arrival from Villarreal and missed a clear opportunity to put his team 2-0 up at Sunderland on Monday. The youngster directed the first opportunity of the game wide of Bernd Leno’s crossbar when picked out by his teammate's excellent delivery.

Everton dominated the opening stages and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over James Garner’s long-range set-piece, awarded after the Fulham player was booked for hauling down the Everton midfielder. The Serbian brought down the same player again before halftime but the referee, the man in charge, rightly ignored home protests for a sending off. Silva was taking no further chances, however, and substituted the midfielder at the break.

The striker believed his fortune had changed at last when arriving at the back post to turn in a drilled pass by his teammate. But the joy of a maiden strike was wiped out by an linesman's decision. The attacker was offside when attacking Gueye’s cross, and missing, and the VAR supported the on-field decision. Barry’s misfortune may have continued in front of goal, but his all-round performance justified Moyes’ decision to keep the faith. His runs and effort kept busy Fulham’s central defenders and contributed to Everton the edge all game.

Fulham came into the contest gradually with Sander Berge and the former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi working well in midfield, but the first half threat from the visitors 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 Everton wall. That summed up their attacking output.

Everton, driven on by Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye, had a second goal disallowed for an infringement when the Fulham goalkeeper saved a Keane header and James Tarkowski fired home the rebound. The home captain had just strayed beyond the last defender when heading on Jack Grealish’s cross in the buildup. But the team's next effort past the keeper counted. Vitalii Mykolenko floated a perfect ball to the back post when found in space on the left flank by the youngster. The defender connected with a powerful nod off the crossbar and, though the midfielder mishit the rebound, his teammate Gueye converted from point-blank. The relief inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was evident.

The home side had a third goal ruled out after the restart after Dewsbury-Hall found the bottom corner from another inviting Mykolenko cross. Ndiaye had laid off the ball into Barry, who was in an offside position when competing with the Fulham defender for the touch that fell to the Everton midfielder. The team would have to be patient until the 81st minute for the comfort of a second goal. Dewsbury-Hall was the architect with a set-piece that Keane glanced over the goalkeeper. He scored with the upper body, and Fulham’s appeals for a handball were rejected by VAR.

Fulham carried more of a threat following the substitutions of Josh King, Rodrigo Muniz and the winger. Pickford saved well with his legs to prevent the substitute finding the net with his first touch and stopped the speedster with a crucial save in the dying moments.