Carlo Ancelotti says Everton prioritised substance over style to gain three points from Wednesday’s tricky visit to Norwich City.

The immaculate Michael Keane headed the only goal of the game when he rose to meet a Lucas Digne corner 10 minutes after half-time.

Ancelotti had cautioned in advance his team would find it hard going to match the intensity on display against Liverpool 72 hours earlier.

Everton were controlled nonetheless and always looked more likely in a contest of few opportunities.

The Blues climb two places to 10th following a third away success under Ancelotti – and will seek to chase down Wolverhampton Wanderers four positions higher in the season’s closing weeks.

“I am pleased because it was not easy to prepare for this game,” said Ancelotti.

“We didn’t have the same energy as against Liverpool, it is really hard to prepare for games every three days after three months of lockdown.

“We did not play as well [as in Sunday's derby] but were focused and motivated.

“The teamwork, not only the defenders but the strikers are doing well, is important [to restrict opposition chances].

“When you are able to work together and show good spirit defensively, you can keep clean sheets.

“We were a bit slow in the first half but the second half was better.

“We could have finished [chances] on the counter-attack in other situations.

“But the plan was to win and climb the table and that is what happened.”

Everton have seven games remaining – beginning with Leicester City’s visit to Goodison Park in seven days – to bridge an eight-point gap to Wolves.

Ancelotti hopes to have defensive pair Yerry Mina and Djibril Sidibe available for his team’s run-in and reported a clean bill of health following the game in Norfolk.

Another defender in Leighton Baines replaced Bernard for the closing minutes at Norwich.

The 35-year-old is mulling over an offer to extend his Everton career into a 14th season and Ancelotti reiterated his desire to keep hold of the left-back.

Baines was one of four players introduced by Ancelotti, the first time Everton have made more than three substitutions in a Premier League game after rules were altered with clubs’ hectic schedules between now and 26 July in mind.

“The players are tired and that is normal,” said Ancelotti.

“But their physical condition is really good.

“In these two games, we had no injuries.

“Next week we will recover some players – Mina and Sidibe.

“We need to have a goal and motivation and this [European qualification] would be a fantastic achievement.

“It will be difficult, the teams above us are not so far ahead but we have to run fast.”

Moving to the subject of Baines, Ancelotti continued: “Every one of us, the Club, myself and his teammates, want him to stay another season.

“We are waiting for his answer and I hope it will be yes.

“He loves Everton and we love him.

“I hope he can stay.”