AS a belated 50th birthday gift from his players, David Moyes may yet see Everton FC's win over Fulham grow in value.
Not only did Martin Jol's side prove to be gift-wrapped opposition, but elsewhere the relentless Tottenham behemoth surprisingly stalled at Wigan Athletic.
The Toffees' manager might not have been popping any champagne corks despite his tongue-in-cheek talk of a lavish party on Saturday evening, but he was still inclined to hope for a European surge.
Ironically his Everton team rediscovered their energy levels after a weary defeat at Sunderland, in time to face a team which played like they'd hiked all the way to Liverpool from West London.
But by taking three points from the Cottagers – even if they failed to add gloss to the scoreline by missing a litany of chances – the Blues made sure nobody can completely write them off as Europa League contenders.
It was an uplift in fortunes that seemed unlikely in the aftermath of defeat at the Stadium of Light last weekend, with Spurs and Arsenal both winning.
The chances are Everton will still have to win all their remaining games – and in the process register first league wins in 11 years at Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
However, the travelling Evertonians will at least have something to cling onto – unlike the hardy handful who made the trip from the capital to Goodison on Saturday.
Everton were commemorating the 50th anniversary of their title in 1963, which, coincidentally, was secured against Fulham, and five survivors of Harry Catterick's team were afforded a rousing reception when they took to the pitch at half-time.
Even in their stroll from the dugout to the halfway line, those Royal Blue heroes showed more vigour than some in white shirts had mustered in an embarrassingly one-sided first half.
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was called into action first; saving Marouane Fellaini's downward header with his leg, and was one of few who earned his wages in the visiting ranks thereafter.
Although Dimitar Berbatov hinted at his threat next when he almost connected with a volley in the penalty area, Everton quickly settled into their stride.
Crisp and controlled with their passing, the Blues found plenty of space down the right with Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas while their opponents seemed reluctant to break into a sweat.
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