Seamus Coleman rolled back the years with a terrific goal to ensure Everton triumphed in a must-win match against fellow relegation candidates Leeds United.
The Irishman scored the game’s only goal in the 64th minute with a shot from a tight angle that caught out Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.
The Blues managed to hold onto the three points, bouncing back from Monday’s derby disappointment and making it two home wins out of two under the stewardship of Sean Dyche.
The win also saw them climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of their opponents and keep ahead of Southampton and Bournemouth below them, who were both victorious in their respective games.
The Toffees began the match in positive fashion, energetically looking to carve a way through the Whites but often lacking the final ball or necessary finish.
Since Dyche’s arrival, Everton have become a different beast from corners and this continued against Leeds as they twice came close through Neal Maupay and James Tarkowski.
After the break, the Toffees got their noses in front when Coleman was played in down the right flank by Alex Iwobi, reaching it just before the by-line and, with no-one to cross to, firing it between Meslier and his front post from an acute angle.
It was a bizarre way for the Blues to take the lead but the Goodison faithful had little cause to complain as the old ground shook with appreciation for their skipper.
Everton had a chance to put the game to bed late on when substitute Ellis Simms played Abdoulaye Doucoure in on goal but the Frenchman was unable to get the shot away.
In the end, the Toffees had to settle for a narrow but vital 1-0 win over the managerless West Yorkshire outfit.
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