Romelu Lukaku dominated proceedings as Everton moved into the Premier League’s top six with a 4-0 rout over Hull City.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring with his first goal for the Blues which allowed the hosts to head into the half time interval at Goodison Park ahead.
But the turning point came in the 70th minute when Tigers midfielder Tom Huddlestone was given a straight red card for a bad tackle on Idrissa Gueye.
Ronald Koeman’s side took advantage with Enner Valencia doubling the advantage before Lukaku made the result comfortable with a stoppage-time brace.
Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:
Blues’ attacking upturn deserves credit
An improvement in Everton’s defence was inevitable with Ronald Koeman’s appointment last summer.
They now boast the best defensive record outside the Premier League’s top six but the improvement at the other end of the pitch should also not be overlooked.
The Blues have managed 51 goals so far this season, more than Manchester United and only two short of both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
But they are streets ahead of their contemporaries with Calvert-Lewin’s strike seeing 15 different players find the net in this campaign – more than any other side.
Considering this group only managed 59 in the whole of last season, it is an impressive tally and demonstrates the vast improvements under the Dutchman.
Fan feelings clear on Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku’s refusal to sign a new contract and the ongoing uncertainty over his future had overshadowed the build-up to this game
Although many have agreed with the Belgium international’s assessment of the current situation at the club, others have not taken to them quite as well.
It meant the striker would have been somewhat nervous about how a sold-out Goodison Park may have received him. He need not have worried.
He was more than warmly received and his two goals, which made him the first Everton forward to reach 20 league goals in a season since Gary Lineker.
It led the Gwladys Street to loudly sing his name as he blew kisses to the crowd.
His future may be unknown at present but Evertonians have made their feelings more than clear: Lukaku is their man.
Barkley deserves England spotlight
Ross Barkley’s early-season blip took a dramatic upturn in fortunes thanks to Koeman’s guidance and Everton have handsomely reaped its rewards.
That culminated in a return to the England squad, with Gareth Southgate recalling the midfielder for the upcoming games against Germany and Lithuania.
His performance against the Tigers emphasised that, regardless of Dele Alli’s form for Tottenham, he should be handed a starring role for his country.
Barkley fulfilled the role of chief creator, just as he did in the win over West Brom at a time when he has little chance to show his ability on the international stage.
But the 23-yearold’s current resurgence now may provide him with the perfect opportunity to show everyone else just exactly how good he is.
European dream is looking up
With another international break bringing the domestic calendar to a temporary halt, Everton can sit back and feel proud of their work to date.
They sit joint-top of the form table with just one defeat in their previous ten games. In that time they have scored 26 goals and conceded just seven.
As they move up to sixth in the Premier League table, credit must be given to the squad for the manner of their impressive turnaround since the start of 2017.
Frustratingly an extra goal would have seen Everton level-pegging Arsenal in fifth-place, following the latter’s defeat to West Brom earlier in the day.
But a European place is very much still up for grabs if Koeman’s side can maintain their current run, starting with the Merseyside derby on April 1.