EVERTON have moved five points clear of the bottom three as they outclassed Leeds to win 3-0 at the Goodison Park.
The Toffees have ended their six-game winless streak in the top-flight to give Frank Lampard his first Premier League victory since taking charge.
The win eased relegation concerns and moved 16th-placed Everton to 22 points, five clear of the drop zone.
Leeds are a point ahead in 15th, having played a game more.
Everton came out firing and could have gone ahead through Anthony Gordon after a just a minute but the youngster was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Luke Ayling.
Right-back Seamus Coleman then made their early pressure count, finishing off an intricate team move with a diving header at the far post in the tenth minute.
Leeds almost grabbed an equaliser against the run of play in the 18th minute when Rodrigo's dipping effort from distance struck the bar.
But Everton continued to drive forward and doubled their lead through Michael Keane five minutes later.
The visitors made two changes at the break, bringing on Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw for Raphinha and Mateusz Klich.
However Leeds barely troubled Jordan Pickford, failing to hit the target despite seeing more of the ball.
Gordon wrapped up the points in the 78th minute when Richarlison's left-footed effort from the edge of the area took a slight deflection off him before squeezing past Illan Meslier.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa conceded after the match that Everton were deserving winners.
He said: "It was a fair result. They established differences that justified their goals.
"They are different games and in the one today it was very difficult for us to defend.
"If you watch the game you will see it was difficult for us to anticipate their forwards.
"They attacked better than us. In the second half we defended a little bit better but we couldn't manage to attack."
⚽ Read our Transfer News Live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals