A second-half onslaught helped Everton to a 3-0 win over Fulham.

Gylfi Sigurdsson quickly made amends for a missed penalty as he curled home the Blues’ opener just minutes later from the edge of the penalty.

The lead was soon doubled as substitute Cenk Tosun opened his account for the season with a header at the far post following excellent work from Theo Walcott.

Sigurdsson rounded off the win in the 89th minute with a strike following Bernard’s pullback to give Marco Silva’s side a comfortable victory.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Blues getting a raw deal from refs

 

It always feels a little cheap when managers or players criticise a referee.

For the second week running, though, Marco Silva can feel justifiably aggrieved.

How Fulham ended this game with 11 men is a question the Everton manager will never be able to answer.

Jean Michael Seri should have seen red for an elbow on Gylfi Sigurdsson, as should Denis Odoi’s studs-up challenge that left bloodied marks on Richarlison’s thigh.

Those were just two of a plethora of fouls from the away side throughout the game, the Cottagers seemingly intent on kicking Everton off the pitch.

Moreover they allowed to do so by extremely lenient officiating.

It was a similar story to last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal, when an offside goal and a sending-off were both overlooked.

Everton must be wondering what exactly they have done to receive such poor decisions and treatment from the Premier League’s match officials.

Goals go beyond the striker

 

As far as some Evertonians are concerned, Cenk Tosun, Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are not up to the grade to lead the line.

It is up to all three to disprove the current doubts but questions must also be asked of those surrounding them, particularly Theo Walcott and Richarlison.

Walcott has started the season well but rarely does enough, with the former Arsenal winger often preferring to turn back rather than taking on his man.

Richarlison is a clear talent but has become an easy target for opponents. Even when he does escape, tunnel vision kicks in and wastes good opportunities by trying to do it all himself.

It was significant that the one time Walcott got in behind the Fulham backline and produced a cross, Tosun was on hand to head home at the far post.

Everton’s strikers are struggling but they need more from those around them.

Sigurdsson steps up again

 

No Everton player appears to be doing more in stepping up than Gylfi Sigurdsson.

It had looked like being another disappointing afternoon for the Icelandic midfielder with a missed penalty epitomizing another listless display for him.

Rather than wilting under the exasperation emanating from the stands, though, Sigurdsson rose above his moment of adversity.

Minutes after that penalty miss, he was in the right place at the right time to curl home a sumptuous finish into the bottom corner and hand Everton the lead.

It was a goal that relieved the tension inside Goodison in more ways than one and set up the hosts for a much-needed victory.

Everton now need him to produce like that more often, there’s no denying he’s got the quality.

Mina faces a fight for places

 

It’s fair to say many around Everton are excited to see Yerry Mina in a blue shirt.

Strong, tall and athletic the Colombia international is expected to be the perfect addition to this team despite failing to leave a lasting impression at Barcelona.

The problem is, by the time he returns from injury, he may struggle for a look-in with Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma already forming a solid defensive partnership.

Zouma has integrated himself into the starting line up well, filling the left side of the defence, an area which has been a problem for a while for the Blues, well.

Keane, meanwhile, has shaken off a poor first season at Goodison and appears to have turned a corner under Silva. His performance against Fulham was one of his best to date.

They dealt with in-form Aleksandr Mitrovic superbly, limiting the Fulham striker to a bit-part role at best.

With Mina watching on from the stands, it was a clear message that the pair are not going to give up their places without a fight.