Theo Walcott fired Everton to their first win of 2018 against Leicester City.

The winger tapped home his first goal for the Blues after he was set up by Gylfi Sigurdsson following some excellent pressing from Cuco Martina.

Walcott would have double both his and the Blues’ tally a short time after when he fired past Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from close range.

A third should have followed, only for Oumar Niasse to both miss from eight yards out and then let down by a poor first touch when put clean through.

Those misses would come back to haunt Sam Allardyce’s side as Jamie Vardy’s penalty midway through the second half set up a tense finish.

Only Jordan Pickford’s superb save to deny Kelechi Iheanacho from close range in the final minutes ensured the hosts took all three points.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Continuity now key for Blues

 

If there was one thing Everton benefitted greatly from at the beginning of Sam Allardyce’s reign, it was continuity.

In early December, his refusal to change garnered results. Only when he elected to change amid the busy fixture schedule did things start to go awry.

With that out of the way and the fixture congestion easing, it is now time to revert to the old formula.

The line up chosen had the perfect balance of defence and attack and the performance was all the better for it.

Everton were positive throughout, dominating possession, creating chances and harrying the Leicester team constantly. Only Jamie Vardy’s penalty led to the nervous finish.

Aside from that it was easily the best performance Evertonians have seen in over a month and sticking with the formation and starters moving forward could garner similar results.

Keane finally matches his price tag

 

Only the widespread criticism of Cuco Martina has saved Michael Keane from being Everton’s most derided defender this season.

The English defender arrived at Goodison Park for a big fee after impressing with Burnley in recent years but has struggled to live up to his price tag.

A night against Jamie Vardy will not have been one he was looking forward to but he ended up passing the test with flying colours.

Keane was superb from start to finish, marshalling Vardy into obscurity and was a key component in ensuring Everton kept their first clean sheet since Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old is a quality player on his day; it’s time he was given an extended run in the side to prove it.

Walcott could prove a big hit

 

Theo Walcott was brought to Everton to add goals to a forward line that was short of them.

Two games into life on Merseyside and he’s already well on track to fulfilling that aim.

His double here added to his assist against West Bromwich Albion and left Goodison Park chanting ‘Theo! Theo!’ loudly.

These goals were nowhere near the hardest Walcott has scored in his career but the efficient manner in which he plundered them should not be overlooked.

Both were achieved with the kind of precision that this Everton team have been sorely lacking all season.

More of the same and his £20 million price tag will look a bargain.

Coleman hits the ground running

 

It will take some time for Seamus Coleman to get back to his best but his return suggested that period will not be as long as first feared.

A surprise starter for the visit of Leicester, Coleman was back in the swing of things before most had taken their seats.

Just ten minutes into the game it was easy to see why Sam Allardyce threw Coleman straight back into his team.

Surging down the right, riding tackles and putting his foot in, there were no signs of that leg break having left any mental scars for the Republic of Ireland international.

In fact, his return was a visible boost to all, particularly his teammates, who not only benefit from his enthusiasm but leadership qualities also.

To say he has been sorely missed would be an understatement.