Everton returned to winning ways with a thrilling 4-2 win over Leicester City.

Tom Davies struck the opener inside the first minute when he was found unmarked in the penalty area by a superb run from team mate Kevin Mirallas.

Two quick goals from the visitors, though turned the game on its head as Islam Slimani and Marc Albrighton before Romelu Lukaku hit an equaliser for the Blues.

A Phil Jagielka header put Everton ahead again before half time while Lukkau added a second after the interval to make things far more comfortable.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

A win, but what might have been?

 

Europa League is all but secured for Everton next season.

Still, they will look back on this win with some regrets.

The Blues have continually chased the Premier League’s top six sides yet repeatedly found themselves unable to break into that group despite best efforts.

A comfortable victory over the Foxes only further emphasised the point

Ronald Koeman’s side have now won 11 games against teams currently sitting in the bottom half of the league. In contrast, only five from the top 10 have been downed.

Better performances in the last week alone could have seen them challenging higher up the league and it is clear what the next step is at

Blues find their set piece groove

 

Whenever Everton scored from a corner under Roberto Martinez, it was considered something of a surprise such was their lack of quality from set pieces.

That theme has continued this season with supporters begrudgingly accepting that it would still not remain a forte even with Koeman at the helm.

It seems, though, work has been done on the training ground of late.

Phil Jagielka’s goal against Manchester United was followed by a further two set piece specials against Leicester to chalk up the week’s tally to three in total.

Goals have not been hard to come by so far in 2017 but this new dynamic will be one that is warmly welcomed. Everton are becoming a potent, well-rounded unit.

Mirallas finally stands up

 

Kevin Mirallas has always been something of an enigma at Everton. The ability is clearly there but often the application has been missing. Not any more.

The Belgian forward was a constant danger to the Foxes’ backline and his slaloming run for the opening goal was nothing short of excellent.

With his contract coming to an end next summer, Mirallas is now in a period where he must prove he is deserving of a place at Everton moving forward.

His performance here, alongside the shift he put in in the draw with United in midweek, will certainly have Koeman thinking a new deal should be on the table.

Another day, another record for Rom

 

For all the personal opinions on Romelu Lukaku, there is no denying that the Belgian has been superb this season.

He currently sits atop the Premier League’s goal scoring charts and looks destined to secure the golden boot by the end of the campaign.

The records have similarly tumbled in his wake.

He headed into this game already Everton’s record Premier League goal scorer and their first player since Gary Lineker score 20 times in a single season.

So it was no surprise to see him adding another personal accolade in scoring for an eighth consecutive home game – a first since Fred Pickering in 1965.

With former club Chelsea set to be the next visitors to Goodison Park, he will be keen to keep that prolific streak going against the runaway champions-elect.