Everton boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe as they beat Burnley to earn a first home win in the Premier League for nearly three months.
Defender James Tarkowski opened the scoring with a thumping header in the 32nd minute, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a second on the hour mark with a delicate dink over Martin Dubravka.
The Blues – who last celebrated a win at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December – defeated the relegation-threatened Clarets to move within a point of seventh-placed Brentford.
It was the 18th defeat of the Premier League season for Burnley, leaving them eight points from safety with nine games remaining.
After a low-key opening 32 minutes on Merseyside, Tarkowski broke the deadlock against his former club when he climbed highest to power home James Garner’s in-swinging set-piece from close range.
It was the first time the England international had been on the scoresheet since his stunning, last-gasp equaliser in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park 13 months ago.
The home side nearly doubled the lead in stoppage time when Jarrad Branthwaite’s header was saved by Dubravka after another delightful free-kick delivery from Garner.
Everton started the second half brightly and had a second within 15 minutes as Iliman Ndiaye – who had seen an effort ruled out for offside a couple of minutes earlier – slipped the ball through for Dewsbury-Hall to net his sixth Premier League goal of the season.
Idrissa Gueye came close to adding a third in the final 20 minutes but his curling effort from outside the box smashed the top of the crossbar.
After scoring three times in defeat against Brentford on Saturday, it took the visitors – who were without top scorer Zian Flemming – until the 79th minute to muster a shot on target.
Everton analysis: Ndiaye proves Blues are finally feeling at home
When Ndiaye was substituted in stoppage with his side 2-0 up, he took a moment to soak it all in.
The forward signed merchandise, shook hands and applauded supporters as he made his way around the perimeter of the pitch to the sound of a standing ovation from an exuberant Hill Dickinson crowd.
It was a moment he and his team-mates had waited nearly three months for.
The Senegal international – as has so often been the case this season – was among the standout performers as the Blues strengthened their push for European qualification with a first home victory in 87 days.
The transition since leaving Goodison Park – their home of 133 years – has been a difficult one.
But heading into Tuesday’s contest with just four wins from 14 games at their new home was not good enough.
It was a record that threatened to undermine the progress made in a campaign that – after reaching the 40-point mark in 28 games for only the second time in nine seasons – has the potential to be a memorable one.
But that promise will only be realised if Everton can settle into life on Liverpool’s Waterfront and banish their recent home struggles.
On the evidence of Tuesday night’s performance, Ndiaye has made himself at home.
Now Everton must follow his lead.
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