Goodison Park was bedecked in blue and white flags as Everton launched their home campaign in sunshine and with a polished early goal from Bernard. Any thoughts of a comfortable, convivial time against Watford proved misleading, however. By the end, with Gylfi Sigurdsson playing for time near the corner flag and Everton’s central defenders repelling aerial raid after aerial raid, this was a gruelling shift for Marco Silva’s side to put in.
Everton emerged with their first win of the season courtesy not only of the Brazilian’s precise finish but an increasingly impressive rearguard action. Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina were instrumental in preserving a clean sheet against a Watford team displaying no lasting effects from their opening day loss to Brighton. It is now 10 clean sheets for Everton in their last 13 outings. Only
Manchester City have kept more in that time. They have a foundation to build on, but much to do.