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The Everton manager had made clear before the match against Fulham that the responsibility for scoring goals should not rest only on the team's forwards. “I demand more goals from my centre-halves and central players as well,” he declared. Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane responded perfectly, securing a well-earned victory over the opposition's toothless side.

The Merseyside club's second win in nine matches was relatively comfortable as Fulham highlighted why their top marksman this season is goals gifted by opponents. Aside from a short spell in the latter period, the visitors were contained all match by Everton’s greater urgency and technical ability. Moyes’ team had three goals ruled out for infringements, but a poacher’s finish 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 needed a goal as much as 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 missed a gilt-edged chance to put his team two goals ahead at Sunderland on Monday. The youngster headed the earliest chance of the game wide of the Fulham keeper's goal frame when picked out by his teammate's fine cross.

The home side dominated the early exchanges and the visiting shot-stopper tipped over James Garner’s long-range set-piece, awarded after the Fulham player was yellow-carded for fouling Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Serbian brought down the same player later in the half but the referee, Andrew Madley, correctly waved away home protests for a second yellow. The Fulham boss was taking no further chances, however, and substituted the midfielder at the break.

The striker believed his luck had changed at last when arriving at the far post to turn in a drilled pass by Gueye. But the elation of a maiden strike was erased by an assistant referee’s flag. Ndiaye was offside when attacking the delivery, and missing, and the video assistant referee supported the on-field decision. Barry’s misfortune may have continued in front of goal, but his overall display validated the manager's choice to stick with him. His runs and effort kept busy the opposition's back line and contributed to Everton the upper hand throughout.

The Londoners came into the contest gradually with Sander Berge and the former Everton midfielder the Nigerian working well in midfield, but the first half threat from the away team was limited. The Mexican striker shot tamely at the England keeper when set up inside the area by his teammate and sent a free-kick from a promising location straight into the Everton wall. And that was it.

The Blues, inspired by the midfielder and the forward, had a second goal chalked off for an infringement when Leno saved a effort from Keane and the captain volleyed in the rebound. The home captain had just strayed beyond the last defender when heading on the winger's cross in the build-up. But the team's third attempt beating Leno did stand. The left-back floated a lovely cross to the far post when left unmarked on the left flank by the youngster. Tarkowski met it with a thumping header off the crossbar and, though Iroegbunam mishit the rebound, his midfield partner Gueye finished from point-blank. The sense of release inside Hill Dickinson Stadium was evident.

The home side had a third goal ruled out early in the second half after Dewsbury-Hall scored from a further excellent delivery from the left. The attacker had laid off the delivery into the striker, who was in an offside position when competing with Joachim Anderson for the ball that reached the Everton midfielder. Everton would have to be patient until the closing stages for the security of a second goal. The provider was the creator with a corner that Keane glanced over the goalkeeper. He did so with the back of his shoulder, and Fulham’s appeals for a handball were dismissed by VAR.

Fulham carried more of a threat after the introductions of the forward, Rodrigo Muniz and Adama Traoré. The Everton keeper saved well with his legs to prevent the substitute scoring with his initial involvement and denied the speedster with another important stop in the dying moments.