Everton eased the pressure on manager Marco Silva with an impressive win over disappointing West Ham United at Goodison Park.
Silva is fighting to ease doubts over his future after four straight Premier League defeats plunged Everton into the relegation zone - but this was a vastly-improved, excellent display to earn three vital points.
He made five changes from the side that lost at Burnley and was rewarded with a piece of individual brilliance from recalled Brazilian Bernard, who tricked his way into the West Ham area before beating keeper Roberto Jimenez with a clever finish after 17 minutes to set Everton on their way.
Everton had numerous opportunities to extend their advantage but Roberto produced a succession of fine saves, especially from Tom Davies and Alex Iwobi, while Richarlison hit the woodwork. It was in stoppage time that second-half substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson, dropped for the first time since he became Everton's record 45m signing in summer 2017, ended any doubts about the outcome with a magnificent 25-yard rising right-foot drive.
Everton attacker Theo Walcott said at the final whistle: "The game felt like we need to start taking our chances, we had so many. It showed how good we can be going forwards. We know the quality in the team, we know what to expect from each other.
"The fans were fantastic today, but then they always are. The sense of urgency was what we needed."
