Everton ride luck for 2-0 home victory over Bournemouth

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

(Reuters) - Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at a rainy Goodison Park on Sunday.

There were grumblings of discontent from the home fans as Everton were outplayed before the break but Marco Silva's side improved after the interval to move back into the top half of the table.

Bournemouth have now lost six successive away league games.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

"I think the result is really harsh on us today, we competed in a really tough game and we had some chances we didn't take but the scoreline doesn't reflect the performance," Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said.

"The fighting spirit and determination was on show, we pressed well and we nullified their threats for large spells."

It was hard to disagree with Howe's assessment, especially before the interval when his eye-catching side dominated.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma in action with Everton's Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Young Welsh striker David Brooks was a thorn in the Everton defence and he struck a shot against the base of the post in the 14th minute after being played in by Junior Stanislas, who himself nearly embarrassed England keeper Jordan Pickford with a free kick.

Bournemouth also had two penalty shouts ignored before Everton gradually roused themselves, with defender Michael Keane heading against the crossbar shortly before halftime.

Everton began to click after the break and Richarlison's shot was cleared off the line by Nathan Ake.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's Dan Gosling shoots at goal as Everton's Jordan Pickford attempts to save Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The hosts took the lead with only their second effort on target in the 61st minute.

Lucas Digne did well to keep a ball in play and his hoisted cross was headed home powerfully by defender Zouma for his first Everton goal since joining on loan from Chelsea.

Everton's second in stoppage-time, struck home excellently by Calvert-Lewin after great work by Ademola Lookman, was harsh on Bournemouth who will wonder how they went home unrewarded.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's Nathan Ake in action with Everton's Michael Keane and Andre Gomes REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Everton boss Silva was especially impressed by the performance of 21-year-old midfielder Lookman who is being linked with a move away from Goodison Park.

"It was a fantastic performance and we know he is at that level, but he will improve more and more," Silva said.

"Even if 2-0 is a tough result to take for them, we deserved the points and our players showed big personality and character as a team."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Richarlison in action with Bournemouth's Steve Cook REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Bournemouth, who had 16 goal attempts, remained in 12th spot with 27 points from 22 games, nine points above the bottom three. Everton moved into 10th spot on 30 points.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Chadband and Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's Adam Smith is fouled by Everton's Bernard REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma scores their first goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Lucas Digne in action with Bournemouth's Joshua King REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma scores their first goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's Adam Smith is fouled by Everton's Bernard REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's David Brooks in action with Everton's Seamus Coleman REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Bournemouth's David Brooks shoots against the post as Everton's Jordan Pickford attempts to save REUTERS/Andrew Yates