The second honeymoon continues for David Moyes. Taking charge of his 700th Premier League game and up against the division’s youngest manager who is 30 years his junior, a controversial penalty from Iliman Ndiaye made it two successive victories since the 61-year-old’s return to Everton and proved there is no substitute for experience. This was the kind of backs-to-the-wall victory that Moyes has made his trade since taking charge of his first match back in March 2002 when he was the new manager on the block.

While Fabian Hürzeler’s side improved significantly after an insipid first-half display that saw them fall behind following Joël Veltman’s senseless handball, Brighton could not overcome Everton’s organised defence and incessant timewasting as they kept up a propensity for dropping points at home against teams below them in the table. The loss of Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury early was the only negative for Everton, although nothing could dampen the spirits of the travelling fans, who serenaded their manager at the final whistle.