Sam Allardyce’s Everton reign began with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

After a first half lacking in quality, the Blues started the second half in superb fashion with Gylfi Sigurdsson firing past Jonas Lossl to hand them the lead.

They would double that lead not long afterwards as an excellent through ball from Wayne Rooney set Dominic Calvert-Lewin up to send a deflected effort past Lossl.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Big Sam sets out his stall

 

Sam Allardyce is no apologist; he will play his way during his Goodison Park tenure and the fans will simply have to accept it.

After arguably some of Everton’s best football this season in midweek, those heading to L4 might have expected more of the same under the new man.

Instead, they were given exactly what Allardyce offers, which is direct football that may not be pretty or exciting for those watching.

But if the wins keep coming, few are likely to complain.

After all, attractive passing football was what Roberto Martinez offered and everyone knows how that one ended.

Sammy sings the Blues

 

If Allardyce’s arrival was enough to make some Everton fans refuse to attend matches, that of Sammy Lee will have had them tearing their season tickets up.

The idea of a man so strongly affiliated with Liverpool, both as player and coach, pitching up in the home dugout at Goodison is considered sacrilege in the eyes of some.

Indeed, there have been more than a few of such doubters worrying about whether his heart will be in the job. His actions should put those doubts to bed.

Lee was as energetic as ever, constantly barking instructions to his new charges and getting visibly irate with every decision that went against the Blues.

Much like Allardyce, he may never be universally loved by Evertonians but if he shows this kind of passion on a regular basis, he will at least be accepted.

Clean sheets running like busses

 

It appears that clean sheets are like busses for Everton; you wait three months for one and then two come along at once.

Allardyce’s inaugural address in the hot seat spoke of how a shut-out was the most pleasing aspect of Wednesday’s comfortable win over West Ham.

It was the first his new side had managed in the league since an opening day win over Stoke City. Another will have provided a huge confidence boost for the back line.

Although they were rarely tested by a relatively toothless Huddersfield attack, there is no escaping that Jordan Pickford and co. put in solid performances again.

No doubt the new Everton manager and his coaching team will be k­een to ensure it is something that continues, especially with a free-scoring Liverpool up next.

Fortress Goodison still going strong

 

Even amid this disappointing campaign, Goodison’s fortress remains in-tact – in the Premier League at least.

Now up to 10th in the table, the win over Huddersfield means Everton also have the best home record outside of the top six sides.

To put into perspective, Tottenham have the same points at home this season while only Chelsea have won one more point in front of their own crowd.

In 2017, only Arsenal’s 15 victories beats Eveton’s home record across the calendar year.

Continuing that run and ensuring Goodison remains a place no teams want to visit will be key to ensuring a continued climb up the table.