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Signings? This is a statement of intent

Much was made this summer of Everton 's new-found wealth under Farhad Moshiri after being relative Premier League paupers compared to the division's big spenders of recent years.

A supposed £100million transfer war chest was touted but, come September, the Blues were one of the few top-flight outfits to actually make a net profit in the window with the cash they did spend being counter-balanced by the huge outgoing fund generated by John Stones' departure to Manchester City.

The reality was that after consecutive bottom-half finishes for the first time since the pre-David Moyes era, Everton were always going to find it difficult to attract stellar names and any potential big-money buys would likely come from the mercenary end of the market.

New boss Ronald Koeman , along with thousands of Evertonians, might have been left frustrated by the lack of incomings, but this was already a talented group and it was predecessor Roberto Martinez's inability to get the best out of this gifted squad that cost him his job.

This handsome win means that the Blues are now sitting pretty in third place in the fledgling Premier League table and the best way to attract future signings is by winning matches on the field rather than a mere flexing of financial muscles.

Now that's a real statement of intent.

More than just a water carrier

In a summer when a string of 'marquee' signings were touted, Idrissa Gueye being picked up for a relatively modest fee from relegated Aston Villa could prove to be one of Koeman's most astute purchases.

Be honest, just how many of you were aware of the Senegalese midfielder's talents before he came to Goodison?

However, he's fitted into the Blues side in a matter of weeks like he's been there all his life.

The little midfielder provides a defensive shield in front of the back four that belies his slight stature and is well-versed in breaking down opposition attacks.

However, Gueye also showed on this occasion that he also possesses craft as well as graft and demonstrated a creative side to his game with a terrific right-wing cross for the crucial first goal of the game.

Ton-up Mirallas

While his compatriot Romelu Lukaku grabbed the headlines with a quickfire second-half hat-trick, fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas clocked up a personal milestone with his 100th start in an Everton shirt.

There seemed to be a time when few would have backed Mirallas – brought to the club by Moyes at the start of his final season at Goodison – to reach a century in a royal blue jersey.

Previous spells in France and Greece pointed to a somewhat nomadic existence and he appeared to have itchy feet at times with Everton.

A difficult second season under Martinez saw the unsavoury incident of him wrestling the ball out of Leighton Baines' hands to take a penalty against West Brom and subsequently hit the post.

Come the end of the campaign, many expected to see him heading for the exit door. In a somewhat contrary manner, Mirallas ultimately signed a new contract at Everton, only to find himself out of the side for long periods in what was a stop-start season for him.

Whatever went on between the player and his former manager, who has now been reunited with him at international level, Mirallas has now been handed a fresh start with the Blues under Koeman and is making the most of it.

He was quiet for long periods in this game but still managed to make a telling contribution with the assist for Lukaku's hat-trick goal.

An old flame (-haired manager)

Born in April 1963, Moyes is just a month younger than Koeman who this summer became the oldest manager ever to be appointed by Everton, breaking the previous record held by Howard Kendall third time around.

Therefore, it's fair to say that the Scot can no longer be described as a 'young' manager and the once-red hair that Evertonians used to sing about has faded with the years.

While Moyes enjoyed a winning record in his long tenure of over 11 years in charge at Goodison, he has now lost all four matches against Everton as an opposition manager.

During his brief spell at Manchester United, he oversaw Everton's first win at Old Trafford for over 20 years while a 2-0 defeat back at Goodison proved the final straw for the Glazers and he was relieved of his duties barely 48 hours later.

Those old enough will also recall he took his Preston North End side to the Blues for an FA Cup tie in 2000 but went down 2-0 in that one.

Everton will always be grateful for what Moyes did for their club but they'll hope to keep getting the better of individual tussles with their former manager.

Let there be light

Sunderland are marking two decades playing at the Stadium of Light this season with a '20 years in the Sol' feature throughout their matchday programmes this season.

Everton have been looking for a solution to their own long-running stadium issue throughout that period but as of yet have not made any serious headway.

During this time, nearly all of their Premier League rivals have either refurbished extensively at their existing sites or, like the Black Cats, initiated entire rebuilds in new locations.

The Wearside outfit were preparing to quit their former Roker Park home in the same summer that Baddiel and Skinner were singing 'Three Lions' and the late Gary Speed was joining his beloved Blues.

Many of these 'new stadia' are now a generation old – it's starting to show up here with many of the plastic seats having faded from their original pillar box red to pale pink.

Having seen plans from Peter Johnson, Kings Dock, the controversial 'Destination Kirkby' and Walton Hall Park all come and go in that time, will Mr Moshiri finally be able to deliver on this front in the coming months and years?

Most Evertonians feel the time has come.