Everton returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over West Ham United.

Bernard opened the scoring early in the first half with an individual run through the visitors’ defence which allowed him to slot past Roberto at his near post.

Marco Silva’s side weathered an onslaught from the Hammers after the intervai but wrapped up the game with a stoppage time strike from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Silva’s gamble pays off

 

Win or bust was Marco Silva’s overriding message ahead of West Ham’s visit.

Stakes were high for Everton’s under-fire manager with the prospect of not only a fifth straight league defeat but also a third successive home loss on the cards.

With the threat of his side finishing this weekend still in the Premier League’s relegation zone, Silva elected to roll the dice and made five line-up changes.

It paid off handsomely with the Blues’ forward line offering greater flexibility and potency without a recognised striker or a starring role for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The final score flattered the Hammers in truth. A belated fightback would have ultimately come to nothing had their hosts been more prolific in the first half.

Silva forecast that that this game would be ‘a turning point’ for his side’s tumultuous season. His team selections backed up those words with actions.

Walcott finally states his case

 

Until now, Goodison Park has hardly seen seen the best of Theo Walcott.

Costly but largely ineffectual is the overarching narrative for the former England international’s almost two-year stay on the blue half of Merseyside.

An early withdrawal through concussion in his last outing suggested that Walcott’s hard-luck tale would carry on down a very predictable route.

But against a team from his former London parish, he finally came alive.

A threaded ball for Bernard paved the way for Everton’s opener and helped out full debutant Djibril Sidibe with defensive duties midway through the opening 45.

Walcott almost had a goal in his own right when a half-volley had Roberto Jiminez well beaten but unfortunately not the Gwladys Street’s crossbar.

The standing ovation from all four sides of Goodison for the 30-year-old as he was replaced by Moise Kean late on reflected the size of his contribution.

More performances like this will go a long way in shifting the current perception.

Sidibe ready to rival Coleman

 

Seamus Coleman has never faced stern competition for Everton’s right-back slot.

However the Republic of Ireland captain might soon find himself in uncharted territory if Sidibe’s first start is a reliable barometer of what lies ahead.

West Ham made a serious miscalculation in targeting the World Cup winner as a weak link in Silva’s side with a number of attacks down his right-hand side.

Falling out of favour at Monaco led Sidibe to Goodison on a season-long loan but form is clearly temporary as his sound defending and surging runs attested.

Coleman will invariably find himself back in contention for next weekend’s trip to Brighton after serving a one-match suspension for his red card at Burnley.

Yet the ’60 grand’ man should not be an automatic choice, irrespective of the captain’s armband, when a player of Sidibe’s quality is now snapping at his heels.

Richarlison back in form but not goals

 

By his own admission, Richarlison has not been in trademark form of late.

So often a focal point, the forward believed that his early-season form lagged due to the extensive travelling done while on international duty with Brazil.

Another marathon trip with the Selecao in the build-up to this game could have had a similar impact on Richarlison when Everton arguably needed him most.

But the 22-year-old’s ability to roll with the punches ensured that there was no outstanding jet lag issues as he proved a perennial thorn in West Ham’s side.

All that was lacking was a goal, although not for a lack of trying. Both the woodwork and an offside flag conspired against him either side of the interval.

Sooner rather than later, Richarlison will find himself back on the score sheet. This display proves that he is a lot closer than his recent slump suggested.