Everton edged out Southampton to record their first win under Marco Silva.

In an entertaining first opening period, the Blues benefited from one of several well-worked free kick routines as Theo Walcott opened the scoring.

Walcott later turned provider against his old club, linking up down the right before crossing for Richarlison to head home his third goal of the season.

Danny Ings gave the visitors hope with a second-half goal on his return to Merseyside but Everton held out for a winning start to their home campaign.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Richarlison’s star on the rise

 

Two games into a new Premier League season may be too early to make a finite assessment but that won’t stop Evertonians; Richarlison is a star in the making.

Two goals on his debut had endeared him already, another on his home bow just added momentum to the tidal wave of appreciation from the stands.

The Brazilian has added everything Everton’s attack lacked last season; pace, trickery, goals and most importantly, a desire to fight for the shirt.

His willingness to track back is particularly impressive and three goals from his first three shots on target is a dream start to life at Everton.

One particular pundit is starting to look a little bit foolish for doubting him.

Set pieces back in vogue

 

It’s been a while since Everton were proficient at set pieces.

Roberto Martinez refused to practice them while both Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce showed little interest either.

So much so, it became a running joke that the Blues might as well not bother winning them. Marco Silva, though, did not receive the memo.

Under his leadership, set pieces are back on the agenda. The work done on the training pitches at Finch Farm was evident from the outset here.

Southampton were handed a warning early on before a superb, flowing move resulted in Morgan Schneiderlin playing in Theo Walcott to open the scoring.

The routine was the kind of practiced routine that football purists delight in. For a Goodison Park that has been starved of quality in this area for several years, it provides a much needed breathe of fresh air.

Walcott ready to hold down a place

 

Marcel Brands’ work in the summer transfer window means there is competition for places throughout this Everton squad.

With Bernard waiting in the wings, Walcott is one man who has to justify his starting role just six months after joining. But it’s a fight he is ready for.

After appearing off the pace in the draw with Wolves, the former Arsenal man was demonstrably sharper against Southampton.

Ryan Bertrand struggled to contain Walcott for much of the afternoon as a burgeoning relationship with Seamus Coleman proved particularly difficult to stifle.

A goal and an assist was a clear message to his manager that he has no intention of giving up that right-wing role without a fight.

Blues’ front line is again full of goals

 

When Everton appointed Silva in the summer, they were hoping he would bring attacking football back to Goodison.

Last season, the Blues were one of the worst attacking sides in the Premier League, boring their way to safety under Allardyce. Plenty of embarrassing stats prove that point.

Two games into the season and it’s all change. With four goals scored and plenty of chances created, Everton’s front line is looking a potent one.

Richarlison has already made his mark while Walcott has opened his account for the campaign too. It won’t take long before Cenk Tosun is joining them.

The shot-shy, creativity lacking Everton of last season has been banished to the history books.