Theo Walcott showed what a coup he was for Everton against Southampton

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Theo Walcott joined Everton from Arsenal in the January transfer window and has showed moments of promise and sparkle but only now under Marco Silva is he truly beginning to show what a coup he was for the Toffees.

After just a quarter of an hour against his boyhood club Southampton, he showed his composure after a smart set piece routine came to Walcott. Under pressure, his technique kept the ball under control before firing the ball beyond Alex McCarthy and into the back of the net.

Not long later, he turned provider and whipped a pinpoint cross onto Richarlison’s head for the summer signing to double Everton’s lead and all but end the tie in the first half.

“I thought Theo was great. The attacking players linked up brilliantly at times. They were great and very lively in front of goal.”

Captain on the day, Seamus Coleman, appreciated his display.

Walcott was at the heart of everything that Everton did in attack, producing more passes in the attacking third than any other player, taking more shots than any other Everton player and creating more chances than any other Everton player.

No longer simply a pace merchant, Walcott has shown the kind of quality that earned him a move to Arsenal and that he showed at times in Europe’s elite competitions.

Rather than looking to get on the end of chances, he has turned a provider whilst still offering fine finishing and a deadly threat when the ball does fall his way in the danger area.

If Marco Silva can get the 29-year-old to produce performances like that on a weekly basis, then he could prove to be one of the greatest signings that the club has made in many years.