Tom Cleverley and Marc Pugh traded early goals before the England left-back popped up to give the Toffees maximum points
It was supposed to be a day of anger and protest, a day that Everton imploded.
But one buzzing banner apart, which read plaintively: Time to go Roberto NSNO (Nil Satis Nisi Optimum), the Blues fans showed they are above that sort of crass disrespect, even to a manager who seems to have reached the end of his time.
It was John Parrot, the famous Everton fan, who said before the game that they are above that at Goodison, because they are too big a club to indulge in such nonsense.
And he’s right. People are forgetting there is a way of doing things here, a quiet dignity even in the face of adversity, and Everton fans showed they understood perfectly, by getting behind their team, who at least showed effort and desire, if not the true quality we know they possess.
Here, our reporter David Maddock discusses five talking points on an interesting afternoon.
1. Leighton Baines is a true Everton hero
This was the 500 appearance of his career, and yet he retains an enthusiasm and commitment to the game that is as fresh as it was when he was a young full-back, arriving at Goodison just a little starstruck.
Baines has struggled a little with injury this season, but looks to be getting back to his best as his goal showed, and if he returns to that level, should be an automatic England choice in the summer.
2. Oumar Niasse has a LOT of improving to do
On the other end of the scale, Niasse was making his first start for the Blues, and given the noise surrounding him, it is hard to envisage any circumstance which would see him stay at Goodison for 10 years. He has been a stick to beat Roberto Martinez with, given his expensive acquisition and lack of game time, and really, there wasn't much to show here for the money, except for a poor touch.
He does have real enthusiasm though, and energy, and under different circumstances it is not outlandish to wonder if that would make him popular with the fans, rather than the villain he currently seems to be.
3. Blues fans are plane crazy right now
Right on cue, just as the interval approach, a section of Everton fans expressed their dissatisfaction with a banner flown over the ground which read: 'Time to go Roberto'. Apart from wondering who has the money to chuck around on something as frivolous as that, you also wonder what it will achieve.
A similar banner was flown at Southampton a few months ago telling chairman Bill Kenwright to go. Little did they know he was in talks to do exactly that. You suspect something similar with the manager.
4. It's not the right moment to sack Martinez
A sensible club gives themselves time and breathing space to make huge decisions. Surely it would be wiser to wait until the summer to see who is available to replace him, rather than box themselves into a corner if the right man isn't there at the right time. Think Liverpool and Klopp. They waited and it paid off.
5. Bournemouth were on the beach
Which is appropriate, given their seaside location. They have done their job in the Premier League this season, and it's hardly a crime to ease off the intensity that one per cent they have in recent weeks. They need to regroup now and get themselves ready for an even harder season next season, when the Premier League has worked out their style and approach. They are still a breath of fresh air.
Player ratings
EVERTON
- Howard 7 - Two fine stops suggested his experience has been missed
- Besic 4 - Wow. He really did have a nightmare, and struggling now
- Stones 7 - Did well to help young sidekick through game, has class
- Pennington 7 - Very shaky start, but grew into game has a real future
- Baines 8 - MOTM. Top pro, top Blue, deserved goal on 500 appearance
- Gibson 6 - Steady in middle, and another who has vital experience
- McCarthy 7 - Sometimes looks leggy, but has a quality Everton need
- Lennon 6 - Worked hard down flank and crucial role in second goal
- Barkley 7 - Gets far too much stick, because he terrifies defenders
- Cleverley 7 - Brilliant finish for opener and neat throughout game
- Niasse 5 - He tried bless him, he really did. Not much beyond that though
- Subs: Hibbert 7 (Besic 46), Lukaku 6 (Niasse 61), Dowell (Barkley 87)
BOURNEMOUTH
- Boruc 6 - Didn't have too much to do, and couldn't be faulted
- Francis 6 - Did sterling job with work-rate all down the flank
- Elphick 7 - Showed a spirit in the back when his side pressured
- Cook 6 - Not showy, but gets the job done with strength
- Daniels 6 - Given a run by Lennon, stuck to task well
- Ritchie 7 - Has a touch of quality and will blossom in future
- Arter 6 - Work rate impressive in middle, disciplined too
- Surman 6 - Good solid display, never overrun in the middle
- Pugh 7 - Showed the desire to get into box to get goal
- Wilson 7 - Did a lot of neat things, and created chances
- King 6 - Worked hard but ball seemed not to stick
- Subs: Stanislas (Pugh 68), Afobe (King 69), Grabban 6 (Wilson 78)
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