Everton bounced back from their humiliation at Arsenal with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Idrissa Gueye came closest to scoring in a dour first half at Goodison Park as his long-range effort was well saved by Eagles goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

But the host came out flying after the half-time break and were ahead early on when Gylfi Sigurdsson’s deflected effort found the bottom corner.

Less than five minutes later, the Blues’ lead was doubled when Oumar Niasse was left free inside the penalty area to head home.

Tom Davies added a third midway through the second half when he tapped in Sigurdsson’s cross with Luks Milivojevic adding a late consolation from the spot.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison:

Some things stay the same

 

Everton’s seventh-placed finish last season was founded on victories like this.

Under Ronald Koeman, they were often comfortable beating those beneath them in the table; it was against those above them where they struggled.

Despite a raft of changes around Goodison Park in the past few months, downing Crystal Palace clearly shows that some things never change.

A 3-0 win against 14th-placed Eagles side means that Everton have now lost just one of their last 12 games against sides below them in the table.

The question, as it has been for some time, is when they will finally turn up and challenge those above them. Clearly they still have the other half of the table in check.

Niasse continues to make his case

 

As far as Sam Allardyce is concerned, Oumar Niasse is currently Everton’s first-choice striker.

That decision has regularly been questioned, particularly in light of Cenk Tosun’s arrival from Besiktas last month.

The Senegalese forward may be something of a cult hero at the Grand Old Lady but his footballing abilities are often still lacking.

However if Niasse continues to put the ball in the back of the net there is little argument to be made against Allardyce keeping him at the top of the pecking order.

His strike against Palace was the epitome of a poacher’s goal and eradicated any memories of the poor first half he had endured prior to it.

Goals win games and if Niasse keeps getting them, there will be little reason for him to be dropped.

Why Allardyce claim doesn’t add up

 

Apparently Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson cannot play together for Everton.

Unfortunately for Allardyce and the other naysayers, the stats say otherwise.

This win means the two have played together seven times during Allardyce’s reign – Everton’s record in that time is five wins, one draw and one defeat.

In the six games when the pair are kept separate, the Toffees have not won once and taken just three pitiful points from a potential 18 on offer.

Against Palace, Rooney was dominant in a deep midfield role while Sigurdsson was often at the heart of the Blues’ best-attacking moves.

Both these players are good enough footballers to play together, they both proved it in this game and the numbers speak for themselves.

This is a midfield partnership that should not be broken up.

Blues must stick with winning formula

 

Consistency in Everton’s team selections was the clamour which came after their win over Leicester City at the end of last month.

That game had shown Allardyce’s side at their best; dominating possession, creating chances and being a highly entertaining team to watch.

His starting line-up against Palace was much the same and the second half performance was among the best produced under the ex-England boss.

Sticking with a winning formula will breed both confidence and results.

The opposite will only deliver more performances like the one at the Emirates Stadium seven days ago.