THEO WALCOTT scored one and assisted another as Marco Silva's first game in charge of Everton at Goodison Park ended in victory on Saturday.

Brazilian forward Richarlison added the second, giving him three goals in two games for his new club. Danny Ings scored what turned out to be a consolation strike for the visitors in the second half.

Toffees’ boss Silva was pleased with the impact made by Richarlison, whom he signed from his former club, Watford.

“When we sign a player like him, not only can he perform well and score, he gives 100 per cent,” said the Portuguese.

“He's a player who fits the club really well. Two games, three goals, it’s important for him, but the goal from Theo was important too.”

Walcott opened the scoring following a free-kick straight off the training ground. Some neat one-touch play from Leighton Baines and Morgan Schneiderlin at the set-piece sent Walcott through on goal, and he lifted his finish over Alex McCarthy.

Southampton had chances of their own. Jordan Pickford spilled a Cedric Soares shot but made up for his error, deflecting Ings’s close range follow-up effort onto the bar.

The visitors were able to pull a goal back when Ings finally found the net when a James Ward-Prowse corner deflected into his path off the head of Mario Lemina. But Richarlison’s header from Walcott's cross was enough for Silva's side to claim the three points.

The new signing entertained the Goodison faithful every time he touched the ball, but also worked hard in defence.

Walcott found the net for a second time but it was disallowed for offside. He should have had another when a one-two with Gylfi Sigurdsson baffled the Southampton defence, but the Englishman dragged his shot wide.

Southampton manager Mark Hughes was frustrated with the way the game panned out, and he believed that Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should have been sent off for a follow-through on Ings when clearing the ball.

“I thought the Everton players allowed the referee to give free-kicks, they went down very easily,” he said. 

“Their keeper should have been sent off, clearly, for his challenge on Danny.”

His Southampton team picked up five yellow cards in a game which was at times physical and scrappy, but nonetheless entertaining. Everton fans will be looking forward to more entertainment in the club’s new era under Silva.