Following disappointing defeats for both teams over the weekend, it was no surprise that the first half began in a cautious manner.

It wasn’t until the 23rd minute that either side registered a shot on target, when a deep free-kick dropped invitingly for Antoine Semenyo and Bournemouth’s leading scorer unleashed a powerful shot, butJordan Pickford made a strong save.

Everton’s most significant first-half chance came from two James Garner inswinging corners shortly before the break. The first glanced off Alex Scott’s head and struck the crossbar, while Thierno Barry nearly nodded in the follow-up set-piece from close range, but a combination of Djordje Petrovic and the goalpost denied him.

Junior Kroupi appeared to have given Bournemouth the lead with the final kick before halftime when he darted in at the near post past Pickford. However, the offside flag was immediately raised, and replays confirmed the striker was offside when meeting Amine Adli’s flick-on.

This was only the second scoreless first half in Everton’s last seven competitive away matches, but the visitors nearly took the lead 11 minutes after the restart.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall launched a swift counter-attack, and the ball fell to Barry inside the box, but Petrovic rushed off his line to block and push the shot behind.

Barry had another opportunity to net his first goal for Everton just past the hour mark but sent his shot over the bar from Garner’s low delivery.

The match opened up in the last 20 minutes as both teams sought a winner, with Everton finally breaking the deadlock as Grealish netted his second goal for the Toffees. The Manchester City loanee collected the ball 25 yards out and charged toward the box, his right-footed shot taking a heavy deflection off Bafode Diakite that left Petrovic helpless.

Iliman Ndiaye almost secured the win, but Petrovic saved his powerful strike.

Bournemouth pushed hard for an equalizer, but Everton held firm as manager David Moyes recorded his eighth win over the Cherries—seven of which were clean sheets.

The visitors jump above their opponents in the Premier League table to finish the night in the top half, while Bournemouth drop to 14th.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton)

Review the match statistics on Flashscore