Everton secured a hat-trick of consecutive wins under returning manager David Moyes to build-up a nine-point cushion between themselves and Leicester City by thrashing the Foxes 4-0 at Goodison Park. For the second consecutive home game, a strong first half performance was the key to the Blues success and after Abdoulaye Doucoure had netted the fastest recorded goal in Everton’s 147-year history, timed at 10 seconds before a Beto brace on six minutes and two minutes into first half stoppage time put them 3-0 up at the break.

The rout was completed just before the game went into stoppage time as Iliman Ndiaye added a fourth for the rejuvenated hosts.

Jordan Pickford 7

Dealt confidently with everything that came his way having written himself into the record books with an assist for the quickest Everton goal in history, knocking the ball long from James Garner’s kick off to pick out Doucoure.

READ MORE: Where Abdoulaye Doucoure ranks in fastest Premier League goals after perfect Everton start

READ MORE: Everton vs Leicester City LIVE - Ndiaye, Beto and Doucoure goals, score, commentary stream

Jake O’Brien 7

Continued his encouraging stint on the right of defence, learning with every game he plays, not looking out of place, he had a third Everton goal ruled out before Beto’s second as he was offside when he bundled it in.

Vitalii Mykolenko 7

Put an inviting chance on a plate for Doucoure with a low ball into the box just before Beto did get the third, he battled hard to snuff out danger when it came his way and kept his shape.

James Tarkowski 8

The captain led by example with a strong display and showed he has some silk as well as steel to his game by playing a measured ball upfield to find Beto for the second goal.

Jarrad Branthwaite 7

Hearts were in mouths when Everton’s most-valuable player went down injured for treatment in the first half but he was thankfully able to continue and showed he’s willing to get stuck in as well as looking elegant at the back by making some crucial challenges at full stretch.

Idrissa Gueye 7

Followed on from his heroics at Brighton with another strong showing in the engine room, displaying typical industry and endeavour.

James Garner 8

Both artisan and artist on his return to the starting line-up, he threaded an incredible pass through to Beto for Everton’s third goal having earlier forced Hermansen to tip a shot from a wide angle around the post and got the ball of Jamie Vardy with a monster tackle.

Jesper Lindstrom 7

Should have scored with what proved to be his final touch, only for his low effort to be saved by Hermansen, the on-loan Danish winger looks a different player under David Moyes and is epitomising the way this team are now trying to take the game to opponents at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure 8

Held his nerve as the goal beckoned to score the fastest goal ever from an Everton player, firing beyond Mads Hermansen with his right foot, his all-round play was understandably rejuvenated, but he should have put Leicester out of sight with his chance just before half-time shortly before Beto did get a third.

Iliman Ndiaye 8

Deserved his late goal, dancing his way through, as he grew into this contest, tormenting Leicester’s defenders in the second half having earlier been desperately unfortunate, claiming he should have had a corner when a shot curled just wide after he wriggled through.

Beto 9

Repeated Doucoure’s trick from a similar position to double Everton’s advantage with an assured finish that will do his confidence the world of good as he looks to stake a claim to be the team’s main striker for the next few weeks at least and then latched onto Garner’s through-ball in first half stoppage time to make it 3-0 and was then unselfish to try and pick out Ndiaye when on a hat-trick after the break.

Substitutes

Ashley Young (on 74 for Lindstrom) 7

Like he did at Brighton, Everton’s oldest ever outfield play was brought on to shore things up on the flank late on but this time started on the right before going to left-back for the last few minutes.

Tim Iroegbunam (on 82 for Garner)

Welcome return for the midfielder, featuring for the first time since the goalless draw with Newcastle United in October.

Nathan Patterson (on 88 for Mykolenko)

Cameo at right-back.

Jack Harrison (on 88 for Beto)

Brought on late on to allow two-goal Beto to milk the applause.