Seamus Coleman says Everton’s victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday was a triumph for the durability and professionalism of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison scored either side of Cheikhou Kouyate’s strike for the hosts to lift Everton top of the Premier League table.

Everton’s win – their first on Palace's home turf since Coleman scored the only goal of a game in January 2017 – followed success in the capital against Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago.

Ancelotti’s side beat West Bromwich Albion last week, scoring five goals in an expansive Goodison Park performance.

The Blues were more pragmatic as they protected their advantage over Palace, nullifying the home team’s pace and creativity and repelling a string of set-pieces.

“You have to dig in, in the Premier league. Palace are a tough side and they made it hard for us,” said Coleman.

“We are playing well and it is an exciting time – although we didn’t play as well in the second half.

“Last-ditch clearances and those types of things are very satisfying, though, and three wins from three games is all we can ask for.

“It is the manager’s first full season in charge and he knows what he wants.

“The new players have fitted in with no problem at all, quality players are quick to adapt and you can see that with the three lads we signed.

“James is a top player. You see some of the balls fired into him in training and he’s killing them with one touch.

“He is fantastic and great to have round the place.

“I’ve played with some very good technical players but he is right up there.

“Players from last season are improving, too.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is improving week on week and Michael Keane is rock solid at the back.”

Coleman was a significant factor in Everton’s opening goal at Palace, powering forward from right-back to lay on Calvert-Lewin’s fifth strike of the season after 10 minutes.

Palace levelled when Kouyate crashed a header high into the net after leaping highest at an Andros Townsend corner.

But Everton grabbed their decisive goal five minutes before the break.

Joel Ward, who had already escaped one penalty shout for handball, wasn’t so fortunate second-time round when a header from Lucas Digne - after a terrific cross-field pass from James – struck the Palace right-back on the arm.

Richarlison duly dispatched the penalty for his third goal in two games following the Brazilian’s twin-strike in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win at Fleetwood Town.

Captain Coleman, whose side move on to a fourth round Carabao Cup tie with West Ham United on Wednesday, reckons the way Everton subsequently managed the game was testament to the team’s growing maturity.

“This match – even West Brom last week [after the away team equalised for 2-2]… they might have been games we wouldn’t have seen out last season,” said Coleman.

“It is an exciting time but we have to take it on a day-to-day basis and be as professional as we can around the training ground, make sure we are ready for every weekend and competitive in all the matches.

“With the addition of the new players and the [contribution of the] players who have been here, it’s been a great start.

“We have another three points and now we will look to West Ham in midweek.”