Even without the injured Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, Everton were dominant from as early as the third minute when, after Leon Osman released Leighton Baines down the left flank, Cahill somehow contrived to slice the left-back’s teasing low cross wide from barely three yards.

With Arteta pulling the strings, there were plenty of other chances for Everton to secure a great margin of victory. Joleon Lescott thrashed a shot that was deflected wide, Phil Jagielka glanced an Arteta corner against the crossbar and Gary Cahill produced an outstanding block to deny Osman.

Gosling, handed a starting role on the back of his derby heroics, was again dangerous and only a point-blank save from Jaaskelainen prevented the youngster heading home a Baines free-kick at the far post.

Bolton rarely troubled Everton, with Tim Howard only once forced into meaningful action to parry Matthew Taylor’s angled drive midway through the second half.

The visitors had little success up against a backline for whom Jagielka’s continued imperious form earned a richly-merited call-up by Fabio Capello to the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Spain in Seville.

Few full-backs can deliver a cross with the accuracy Baines is consistently producing at present while even the perennially unsung Tony Hibbert was afforded a chant from the Gwladys Street faithful.

Since losing at Arsenal in October, Everton have now been defeated just three times in 20 games, conceding only 11 goals in that period while keeping 11 clean sheets.

Their league position of sixth has remained constant for some time, and while it is clear that Moyes’s side have the measure of most in the Premier League, that top-five place is likely to be tantalisingly out of reach, if only for this season.

But, as Everton and Jo discovered on Saturday, some things are worth waiting for.