Everton recorded three successive victories with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The visitors had a chance to open the scoring early in the second half when Wilfried Zaha was brought down in the penalty area by Seamus Coleman.

Jordan Pickford repeated his World Cup heroics to keep the Blues level with a save which galvanised Marco Silva’s side for the remainder of the match.

But it would take until the 87th minute before they broke the deadlock when Ademola Lookman’s cross set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin to head home.

Cenk Tosun doubled the lead two minutes later when he raced onto a Michael Keane clearance to fire past Wayne Hennessey and secure all three points.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Blues take another step forward

 

For the most part, it appeared that Everton would be taking a step backwards.

Their performance here could not have been further away from the one that Marco Silva’s side put in at Leicester City before the international break.

The lack of consistency that has been a problem this season was hurting them again. Yet, despite that, they still came away with all three points.

An impressive two-minute salvo at the death helped them see off the Eagles. For Silva, it will have marked another step forward in their development.

Winning games when not at your best is a trait that all the best sides possess.

The Everton manager will not have been pleased with his side’s performance but a third win on the bounce, a feat last recorded in January 2017, was a big enough positive.

Clear shift from Allardyce’s anti-football

 

If any more reasons were required why Everton sacked Sam Allardyce this summer, the end of this game provided compelling supporting evidence.

Had Allardyce still been in charge, there would have been no late winners; he would have happily settled for a point and considering it a job well-done.

Not Silva. Only three points is good enough in his books. His decision to make three attacking changes here, two in the last ten minutes, demonstrates that clearly.

The fact all three played their part in securing victory warranted his bold approach and went a long way to helping Everton further justify their decision to change this summer.

Everton wanted a forward-thinking, ambitious, bold manager and Silva is delivering in that regard.

Silva and Brands’ vision takes shape

 

Belatedly, Everton’s vision set out by Silva and Marcel Brands is beginning to take shape.

Injuries have delayed implementing the strongest possible line-up but this is the team that the Portuguese coach will want moving forward.

Of the summer recruits, only Yerry Mina is yet to make an appearance and presence on the bench suggests it will not be long before he’s in the starting XI.

Beyond that, Everton also now have options where there were once none.

The ability to introduced the likes of Cenk Tosun and Ademola Lookman from the substitutes’ bench is a major plus point.

That squad depth is what helped secure maximum points. Silva and Brands’ vision is finally starting to become clearer and it is looking like a very exciting one.

Solid start for Gomes

 

For many Evertonians, Andre Gomes is exactly what this current midfield needs.

While Tom Davies has improved in recent weeks some consider the Barcelona loanee as the missing piece of the puzzle in Silva’s new-look team.

His first start of the season will have justified those who believe as much. The Portugal midfielder looked a natural fit alongside Idrissa Gueye in the middle of the park.

That is not to say there were no negatives.

It was plain for all to see that Gomes is a man lacking in match fitness, a result of injuries and limited playing time at the Nou Camp. It will be a while before he is at his best.

Until he reaches that point, Davies can feel comfortable that the starting role he has enjoyed in recent weeks has not been completely taken away from him.