Carlo Ancelotti says Everton’s latest goal-laden victory was reward for a “complete performance” from his team.

The majestic James Rodriguez, signed last month from Real Madrid, put the seal on Everton’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday with two goals after half-time to extend his side’s lead to 4-1.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed Everton in front with his sixth goal of the Premier League season on 16 minutes and Yerry Mina restored the Blues’ advantage on the stroke of half-time following an equaliser from Neal Maupay.

Everton have won their first four league games for the first time since Harry Catterick’s 1969/70 champions opened with four straight victories.

Ancelotti’s side – which has added three Carabao Cup wins to set-up a quarter-final with Manchester United – boast a +7 goal difference and sit top of the table.

“We played well and managed the game well,” said Ancelotti.

“Brighton had possession but we were composed defensively and had opportunities to score on the counter-attack.

“We were good on set-pieces as usual.

“The performance was complete and this is the reason I think we deserved to win.

“James is doing really well. A player with quality doesn’t have a problem to adapt. The quality is there.

“Football is not so complicated, the pitch is always the same, the opponents always have 11 players, the ball is the same and the goal doesn’t move.

“Football is simple.”

Everton went ahead when Gylfi Sigurdsson evaded a challenge from Tariq Lamptey to flight a ball to the far post for Calvert-Lewin to net his ninth goal in all competitions this term.

Striker Maupay squirmed home a leveller for Brighton four minutes before the break but Colombian Mina met compatriot James’ free-kick to restore Everton’s lead seconds before the interval.

James swept home from Alex Iwobi’s cross seven minutes into the second half and was in the right place to convert again 18 minutes later after the imperious Abdoulaye Doucoure strode forwards to square for the attacker.

Yves Bissouma’s dipping long-range effort brought Brighton back to within two goals of their hosts at the death.

Everton, who have beaten Totteham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace this term, return from the forthcoming international break in a fortnight for a Goodison Merseyside derby.

“Brighton were behind [2-1] and trying to apply pressure up front but on the counter-attack we were really dangerous,” continued Ancelotti.

“We won a couple of balls under pressure [to spring forwards for James’ goals] and were good with the finishes.

“With Dominic, there is not only one reason for his form.

“He is confident and we are seeing him improve

“He is scoring goals which is the most important thing for a striker,

“When a striker scores goals he is absolutely more confident and this is how it is now for Calvert-Lewin.

“We are optimistic for 15 days because there is a break.

“Then we will have a fantastic test, the most difficult test we can have, against our neighbours.”