Everton match-winner Michael Keane says a tactical switch by manager Carlo Ancelotti helped inspire the Blues’ impressive second-half display at Norwich City on Wednesday night.

Keane’s pinpoint glancing header on 55 minutes earned Everton a 1-0 victory over the Canaries and moved Ancelotti’s side up to 10th in the table.

After an even first half, the Blues bossed proceedings after the interval. Everton controlled possession and rained in 10 shots – the home team mustered just four efforts on goal during the second period.

Keane, who marked his 100th Everton appearance with a goal and man-of-the-match honours, explained the strategic alteration that helped the Blues achieve maximum points.

“We changed formation at half-time, the way we were playing out from the back,” said Keane.

“It enabled one of our midfielders to get more space and time on the ball.

“I think that helped massively and for the first 20 minutes of the second half, we were attacking constantly.

“The change worked well.”

Keane revealed his goal was extra special as he became the father to a baby girl on Tuesday – the defender celebrated his effort by holding an imaginary dummy to his mouth.

His decisive goal capped a polished performance in the heart of the Everton defence as the Blues made it two clean sheets from two matches since the Premier League’s restart.

The England international won 10 of the 12 duels he contested, while his crisp, measured passing helped Everton launch attacks from the back – Keane recorded a passing accuracy of 91.3 per cent during the game.

The defender is confident Everton can build on their victory over Norwich and continue to climb the table. The Toffees are just four points behind seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur and Keane insists the team are still targeting European qualification.

“We’ve worked ever so hard since we’ve been back [training],” he added.

“We put in a great shift against Liverpool on Sunday and to play three days later away from home, this far away, is a tough ask on the legs.

“In the first half, we weren’t at our best but we started the second half really well and in the end I think we got what we deserved.

"It [qualifying for Europe] is definitely within our grasp.

“We’ve got seven games to play, so we’ve got a lot of points to play for. Anything can happen.

“We’ve got to keep improving, keep getting wins and see where it takes us.”