Everton manager Marco Silva praised his players' character in securing a first home Premier League victory since November.

He hopes the scrappy 2-0 victory over Bournemouth, who like the Toffees are on a worrying run of form, will provide the confidence boost needed to kick on in the second half of the season.

Everton had won just once in eight league matches going into the game so getting back on track was vital to prevent frustrations growing further.

"I was pleased with the result but more the character and personality the team showed," said Silva.

"It is like an obligation for us to win again at home – not just because of the three points but after our last four matches at home.

"It was something we had to do and we did, by showing strong character and strong personality on the pitch."

The clean sheet was Everton's first at Goodison Park since they beat Cardiff on November 24 – a run of 10 matches – and Silva believes that can also be significant.

He added: "When you don't score more goals, the game is always open but when you can achieve a clean sheet and win the match it boosts our confidence as a team."

For Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe a sixth-successive away league defeat represents their worst run since 1994-95 when they were in the third tier.

Just two wins in 14 matches in all competitions has seen the Cherries slip to 12th in the table but the manager is not too worried just yet.

"I think when you don't win, confidence becomes an issue but you wouldn't know it from the performance," he said.

"You wouldn't have known, if you were a neutral coming to the game, that we are on a bad run of form.

"I think we have to take a lot of confidence from the performance – obviously not the result – but know that if we play that way again, results will change."