Everton are now able to enjoy the international break after what Michael Keane believes was a much-improved display against Fulham.
The Toffees pulled four points clear of Marco Silva’s side and David Moyes saw some of his players immediately answer his demands.
Goals from Keane and Idrissa Gana Gueye secured all three points for Everton in what was a dominant performance.
It was exactly the type of performance which Moyes – and Everton fans – would have dreamed about going into the break.
Moyes was so impressed with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who had been coming under his own scrutiny in the number 10 role.
However, there are two other players who Keane has suggested may have just answered the 62-year-old’s public moan from last week.
Everton v Fulham - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Everton duo answer David Moyes demand
Ahead of the game at the weekend, Moyes was demanding more from Everton’s full-backs and creative players to provide quality for the attackers.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Keane was able to get on the end of a corner, which highlighted the improvements made in Everton’s crossing against the Cottagers.
Speaking to the Everton media team following the win, Keane praised the improved quality shown by his teammates.
“I’m just really happy and feeling confident, feeling like I’m going to score when I go up [for set pieces],” said the centre-back.
“The lads put good crosses. I nearly got on the end of one in the first half and just thought [I need to] keep getting in the right places and something will happen.”
It was Dewsbury-Hall who provided the assist from the corner, but that delivery did not tell the full story of Everton’s afternoon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Moyes put a focus on set pieces after being stung by them against Tottenham Hotspur, but improvements across the board were seen against Silva’s side.
Vitaliy Mykolenko and James Garner answer Moyes plea
James Garner admitted Moyes was wanting more from Jake O’Brien having replaced the Ireland international at right-back.
Saturday’s victory over Fulham saw both full-backs provide quality deliveries into the box for the likes of Barry.
Everton vs Fulham Vitaliy Mykolenko James Garner
Successful crosses 2/3 2/6
Key passes 1 1
Big chances created 0 1
No assists came from either Vitaliy Mykolenko or Garner, but there were clear improvements made in an attacking sense.
Everton News reported over the weekend that Everton are looking to tie Garner down to a new deal during this international break.
The Ukraine international is another player at Everton who is in the final year of his deal.
Performances like Saturday’s will not hurt Mykolenko’s case when it comes to potentially being rewarded with a new deal.