Ferguson leads from the front

David Moyes may shy away from comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson but there was more than a touch of the master psychologist about the way he applied the quickest of fixes to ailing Everton morale.

With Burnley signing Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola told he is surplus to requirements, the latest return of the complex Duncan Ferguson from a fitness breakdown was seen as another swift test of Moyes' managerial skills.

In the event, the former Scotland striker was installed as captain in the continuing absence of Kevin Campbell. The decision was laden with risk, particularly with previous stand-in David Weir proving such a natural leader, yet it quickly emerged as a masterstroke and secured Everton their first League win in two months .

The former Preston manager admitted: 'I don't know Duncan that well, and I cannot really say whether he had become disenchanted with life here, but I just sensed that perhaps he needed to feel that Everton was his club again.

'He can be a real influence, and I know what he can do for us if he finishes the season injury-free and in top form. It was a bit of psychology giving him the armband. I just felt it might help get an extra per cent out of everyone and we need that in our position.

'Unity is the key word now and that is why I kept the players on at the end. I wanted to demonstrate to the supporters that there is no them and us at this club. Everyone is part of the overall effort. We are going to fix this together.'

Moyes could not have scripted a better start. David Unsworth volleyed past Edwin van der Sar after 32 seconds and Ferguson doubled the lead in the 13th minute after charging down a clearance by the Fulham keeper.