AFTER devouring dessert, a welcome helping of bread and butter. They may not be getting their menu in the right order, but Everton are at least regaining their Premier League appetite this season.

While David Moyes’s side have acquired a taste for Europe, previous evidence had shown a worrying aversion to more domestic matters, last week’s second-half capitulation at Fulham causing supporters to reach for the worry beads.

But after responding with the comprehensive dismantling of AEK Athens in the Europa League on Thursday, Everton inflicted the same punishment on Blackburn Rovers to further ease concerns of a season of toil and trouble.

Slowly but surely, Moyes and his new-look squad are beginning to gel, beginning to appear more like a team capable of a top-five finish and FA Cup final place.

Villain one game, hero the next. Thursday’s win had been soured by the injury-time dismissal of Louis Saha for foolishly reacting to a cynical boot from AEK’s Juanfran.

As if to make amends, the Frenchman netted twice to take his total to six for the campaign and help overcome a Blackburn side that, on this evidence, are relegation fodder.

Saha loves the sight of the Ewood Park outfit; this brace has taken him to 10 goals against the Lancastrians, his highest tally against any English side. Moyes has always insisted the Frenchmen will be a major asset if he remains fit.

Of course, that’s a big if – Saha missed the defeat at Craven Cottage with a hamstring problem – but the rewards are clearly worth the extra time and effort required to nurse the striker through the campaign.

Joseph Yobo, revelling in his role as skipper, scored his second goal in four days and despite moments of threat from the visitors, the sight of centre-back Sylvain Distin charging in behind the Blackburn defence during the second half indicated the comfort with which Everton ultimately secured the points.

Certainly, there can be no complaints about the level of entertainment at Goodison: they may not have all gone in the desired net, but there have been 21 goals in five games here this season.

As on Thursday, Steven Pienaar was at the creative hub for Everton, delivering another effervescent, irresistible display.

Only some acrobatic goalkeeping from the overworked Paul Robinson prevented the South African from yielding tangible reward from his endeavours, Pienaar revelling in the additional responsibility that has been imposed on him this season.