Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti admits getting back to winning ways was the most important thing his players could have done against Brighton.
Richarlison's 38th-minute goal settled the match and came as a welcome relief after last weekend's Merseyside derby embarrassment against Liverpool's second string in the FA Cup third round.
"The most important part of the day was the result," said the Italian after a first victory in three matches.
"The performance for 60 minutes was good. We were a bit slow at the beginning to build up from the back but after that we were in the game, we could have scored a second one, but naturally at the end when we are only 1-0 up we had more difficulty controlling the game.
"But everything was OK, we defended well, suffering a little bit but absolutely normal."
In the wake of the derby defeat Everton have endured a difficult week, with a small group of fans turning up at the training ground in an attempt to vent their frustrations at the players - instead being met by director of football Marcel Brands - while Fabian Delph became embroiled in an argument on social media which led to the midfielder being booed when he came off the bench in the second half.
Ancelotti wants to change the mindset so that players are on the front foot from the off.
"The reaction was good, of course, but I think my idea is we that don't have to react, we have to act," he added.
"The fact we had to react means before we didn't act well."
The Everton boss felt Theo Walcott should have had a fourth-minute penalty when he was tugged back by Lewis Dunk, even if VAR decided there was no punishable offence.
"The fact that Walcott didn't fall down I think influenced the referee, that was the reason. It's a difficult job for the referee," was the Italian's assessment.
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