Everton moved up to fifth in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Burnley.
Phil Jagielka scored a third goal in as many games to break the deadlock shortly after the interval as he headed into Tom Heaton’s net fromt close range.
The lead proved short-lived after Joel Robles fouled Sam Vokes in the penalty area, allowing the Clarets striker to comfortably dispatch from 12 yards.
A deflected Ross Barkley shot pulled the Blues ahead again in the 71st minute.
Romelu Lukaku wrote his name into the club’s history books again by becoming the first Everton player since Dixie Dean to score nine successive home games.
Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:
No distractions for Barkley
Off the pitch, Ross Barkley has had better weeks.
On it, though, there was barely any issues.
The midfielder was easily his side’s best player against Burnley, creating chances at one end and even getting back to clear off the line on two separate occasions.
It was a perfect display from Everton’s home-grown graduate, who fully dispelled any worries that outside distractions would have affected his performance.
That was reflected in the way he was received by the home faithful as they gave him a standing ovation when departed for Ademola Lookman late on.
Barkley has been superb since the turn of the year and while the focus is firmly on Romelu Lukaku’s contract, getting the boyhood Blue to sign a new deal is equally as important.
Keane passes his Blues audition
In what is shaping up to be a busy summer for Everton, one man who looks destined to be targeted is Michael Keane.
The Blues were keen on the England international in January and all indications are that they will try to do business with Burnley at the end of the season.
If there is interest in him from the blue half of Merseyside, then his performance at Goodison Park will have made it concrete.
The 24-year-old was composed up against Lukaku and demonstrated his ability to play out from the back on more than one occasion.
There is no denying he would fit into the current backline comfortably and given his display here, it is easy to imagine Ronald Koeman will put him firmly on his wish list
Koeman’s changes spot on again
A quick substitution earlier this season had won Koeman wide acclaim as it helped turn the tide in his side’s favour against West Brom last August.
His tactical nous and in-game management is something the Everton manager has shown in abundance since then and a trait which fans welcome warmly.
Both were on display against Burnley as he recognised the problems faced by his side during the first half and duly changed things at half-time to solve the issue.
Enner Valencia’s introduction for Idrissa Gueye proved to be a smart choice, with the Ecuadorian providing the Blues with an impetus that had been sorely missing.
Similarly Gareth Barry’s late foray helped shore up a game which had been sufficiently killed off and safeguarded three points was an astute move.
After the ponderous thinking of his predecessor, it is refreshing for Everton to have a manager as clinical in his thinking as the Dutchman has proved.
Valencia proving a perfect Plan B
More than a few eyebrows were raised by Valencia’s transfer deadline day arrival.
The West Ham loanee managed just ten goals in 66 appearances in three years at London and was hardly the signing Everton fans had desperately wanted.
But Valencia has more than proven to be a smart capture with a number of impressive performances despite his relatively limited playing time.
When given the chance, the Ecuardorian has shown himself to be a player that fits seamlessly into this current line up when called upon as an impact player.
There will still be those among the fan base that doubt the striker’s ability but a permanent deal might not be the worst business Everton could do this summer.