Everton scored twice in the opening six minutes, including the fourth fastest goal in Premier League history, to thrash woeful Leicester City at Goodison Park.
The match was billed as a crucial bottom-of-the-table meeting but the Toffees’ brilliant first half helped send them 10 points clear of the relegation zone as the Foxes remain in real trouble, one point above the bottom three.
Abdoulaye Doucoure latched on to Jordan Pickford’s punt upfield and slid home a low finish after just 10.18 seconds to give David Moyes’ side a dream start.
The goal was the fastest ever scored by an Everton player and only Shane Long, Philip Billing and Ledley King have netted quicker in the competition.
It got even better for the hosts minutes later, helped by static Leicester defending as Beto ran onto James Tarkowski’s ball through the middle of the park and converted past Mads Hermansen.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men were all over the place and were fortunate not to concede another on 20 minutes when Jake O’Brien poked home at the far post, but the towering defender was flagged offside.
The game was effectively over as a contest before half-time as James Garner’s pass sliced through the Leicester defence and Beto side-footed home a cool finish.
Everton controlled the game in the second half and barely allowed Leicester a sniff, as Iliman Ndiaye slotted home a late fourth for three consecutive victories.
