It was a goal that had a bit of everything. First there was power and close control as he span away from two West Ham United players inside the centre circle. Then there was vision as he looked up and swept the ball out wide to Romelu Lukaku. And finally hunger and anticipation and precision as he made a perfectly timed run into the box to meet Lukaku’s ensuing cross and steer a half-volley into the bottom of the net.

The goal that Ross Barkley scored to seal Everton’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday was the perfect showcase of what that the 22-year-old can do on his day. The frustration with both club and country is that such days do not come around often enough but according to team-mate Lukaku, it is a timely reminder that Barkley retains the potential to become the best native No10 in the English game.

“At the minute, the players who play in his position, like Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney, have got goals in them,” he said. “I think Ross has to get more goals and more assists than he has been doing. If he does that, then he is going to play for England.

“If he fulfils his potential, you are talking about the best player in English football. He has got everything. He can get power, he has got technique, he can shoot with both feet. He is fast, he can pick a pass. The manager has been working with him so he makes the right decisions on the pitch.”

Barkley’s explosion of joy in front of the Gwladys Street after his goal underlined his need for a boost after a campaign in which he has lost his England place and received some tough love from Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager, who has, variously made public calls for an improvement from the 22-year-old, substituted him at half-time and even left him out of the team.

Everton vs West Ham player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Everton vs West Ham player ratings Everton vs West Ham player ratings Joel Robles - 6 out of 10 The lack of West Ham attacks resulted in a fairly easy afternoon for the keeper, but when needed to, he done his job. Reuters Everton vs West Ham player ratings Seamus Coleman - 7 out of 10 He battled well against the likes of Antonio and on the attack he caused problems for the West Ham defence. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Ashely Williams - 6 out of 10 Overall he done well, but there were moments when he gave away possession at the back in dangerous areas. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Ramiro Funes Mori - 5 out of 10 Had a quiet game, but he tackled well and used the ball well. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Bryan Oviedo - 6 out of 10 Defended well, looked confident on the ball and played his role well at the back. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Idrissa Gueye - 5 out of 10 He was wreckless in his challenges and picked up a yellow card, meaning he will miss the next game. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Gareth Barry - 6 out of 10 It was a good game for Barry, his vision was good and he was involved in the majority of Everton attacks. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Ross Barkley - 8 out of 10 He had a great game today, his passing was on point, he defended well and deserved his goal. This will do wonders for his confidence. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Kevin Mirallas - 6 out of 10 Used the width of the pitch well and put in some good deliveries into the danger zone. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Yannick Bolasie - 6 out of 10 He linked well with Barkley, and deserves reward for his role in Lukaku’s goal. His determination is faultless. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 7 out of 10 Despite his goal, he had very few opportunities throughout but towards the end he stepped it up a gear and came close to doubling his tally on a number of occasions. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Adrian - 6 out of 10 He made a number of fantastic saves, his positioning was good and he looked confident on the ball. But, it was his mistake that lead to the first goal. Reuters Everton vs West Ham player ratings Chiekhou Kouyate - 5 out of 10 He did the simple stuff well, but it wasn’t enough today and he couldn’t defend against the likes of Lukaku and Bolasie. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Winston Reid - 6 out of 10 He battled well and kept Bolasie quiet and out of the game – which helped his side greatly. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Angelo Ogbonna - 5 out of 10 Had a quiet game for a man of his standard – looked lost in his own position. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Edimilson Fernandes - 6 out of 10 He played his role well, but the excellence of the Everton defence denied him any real chances on goal. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Mark Noble - 6 out of 10 His vision was faultless and he continued to attempt to create attacks. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Pedro Obiang - 6 out of 10 He showed glimpses of brilliance, but it wasn’t enough today and he failed to make his mark on the game. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Aaron Cresswell - 5 out of 10 It was a quiet game for him and he looked lost when Everton were attacking. GettyGetty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Manuel Lanzini - 7 out of 10 He was one of the main outlets for The Hammers and he was involved in all of the attacking play. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Dimitri Payet - 6 out of 10 As per, he was a main outlet and was a key element for The Hammers but he wasted a number of set pieces. Getty Everton vs West Ham player ratings Michail Antonio - 7 out of 10 His combination of speed and size caused problems for Everton, but it wasn’t enough for him to be rewarded for his efforts. Getty

Barkley’s only previous goals this season had come from free-kicks, against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day and Yeovil Town in the EFL Cup. Moreover, it was his first goal from open play in the Premier League since the 3-3 draw at Bournemouth on 28 November last year. For a player with Barkley’s natural gifts, that is a troubling statistic.

Lukaku added: “I think the manager has been hard on him because he knows that Ross has the quality, he just needs to be more productive. He has got loads of qualities, especially in the No 10 positions. You expect goals and assists from them. He was productive today and that is what we need from him. When you see the firepower we have up front, we need more from Ross. We need more from myself and we are demanding from each other.”

Barkley was delighted with his first league goal since the opening day of the season (Getty)

If Barkley’s display was a source of encouragement, Lukaku’s offered further evidence of a player firmly in the mood right now. He has seven goals from his last seven fixtures – four of them teed up by Yannick Bolasie, a player with whom he has struck an instant rapport. As a consequence he will be full of confidence when sixth-placed Everton visit Chelsea on Saturday.

During the summer there were rumours of a possible return to Stamford Bridge for Lukaku but no firm bid came. Instead, as Lukaku explained, a conversation with Koeman helped him to refocus on the challenge at Everton and has led, he believes, to his best ever start to a campaign.

Lukaku celebrates opening the scoring at Goodison Park (Getty)

“When he called me during the European Championships, I told him how I felt,” said the striker. “We had a really honest conversation and I was surprised how honest he was with me. He was honest in the way that he wanted to work and how he wanted the team to play. He saw me as an important figure and a big character. I just told him that whatever happens, I am a professional and I am committed to whatever scenario. I told him I am not guy that is going to cause any problems. He was really clear in what he wanted to improve. Also the consistency.