The Belgian striker pounced to open the scoring after half-time before Barkley's strike sealed the deal for Ronald Koeman's men
Ross Barkley responded to recent criticism with a fine goal to underline his true quality.
The young Everton star was dropped by boss Ronald Koeman for the visit to City a fortnight ago after 55 consecutive Premier League appearances, with a reminder that he must deliver on his talent more consistently.
And he did just that with the goal that confirmed Everton's victory, when he started a raking move and gloriously finished it after bursting into the box to get onto the end of a Romelu Lukaku cross.
Earlier Lukaku confirmed he is the definition of consistent against West Ham, when – incredibly – he scored his ninth goal in his last nine games against them to open the scoring with a tap in after Yannick Bolasie's brave work.
It put the Blues back on winning ways and on the coat-tails of the top four following their shock defeat to Burnley last week, but for the visitors it stopped a mini revival.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will be angry though, that his side dominated the first half but couldn't find the finish to confirm their superiority, with Pedro Obiang and Manuel Lanzini both missing fine chances.
Here's what David Maddock learned at Goodison Park...
1. Lukaku answers his critics
Romelu Lukaku has his critics still, but it's hard to see why. His inevitable goal against West Ham – his ninth in his last nine games against them – brought up 50 Premier League goals for Everton in 113 appearances, the quickest for the club since Bob Latchford. And he deserves to be named in that company, because he's already becoming one of the great Blues number nines....even if in these ridiculous days he of course doesn't wear the centre forward's number!
2. Everton better at the back
Everton looked a little more solid at the back after some shaky recent performances, though they did start nervously with West Ham dominating the early exchanges and early chances. It was a bold decision from Ronald Koeman to bench captain Phil Jagielka, but the Blues stalwart has hit a difficult patch and maybe it was right to take him out of the firing line.
3. No luck for the Hammers
West Ham will count themselves unlucky, because they had the chances to put the game beyond the home side before they really woke up. A mixture of poor finishing (and I'm looking at you Obiang and Lanzini) and bad luck halted their recent revival, but you get the impression last season's form is slowly returning.
4. Payet continues to impress
If they are improving, then the Hammers have Dimitri Payet to thank, because he was again outstanding. The Frenchman looked a class above everyone else at times, his perceptive passing and sublime, subtle skills bewlidering Everton. Slaven Bilic's team are lacking strikers, but when they are fit with the midfielder to pull the strings, they can push on.
5. Barkley shows his class
Ross Barkley has struggled since losing his England place, and Koeman was right to give him a reminder of what is demanded from automatic choices at this level, but class is permanent, and he showed that with a fine finish from a move he started. The midfielder needs more support from the Goodison crowd to restore his confidence, because the goal was evidence of his talent.
6. Both sides need to improve
For all the fact both sides showed flashes of form, the truth is, this was a poor game, which didn't come alive until the second half after Everton finally fashioned a goal, which came from a mistake by Winston Reid. Both teams can chase for a European place this season still, but they will need to improve.
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