We all hoped that after the Kiev display the team had finally turned the corner - and Sunday's welcome win over Newcastle offers further evidence that their old swagger has returned.
Everything that is good about Everton was back on show, they were fierce and determined in the tackle, quicker to get the ball forward and offered genuine width - all with the Goodison crowd back to it's rip-roaring best.
There was an early warning though and perhaps the slice of luck they needed - Mike Williamson's shot cleared off the line by James McCarthy. The ball clearly struck his arm, but a penalty would have been harsh.
After that Everton forced their way back into the game, finally playing the ball early towards Romelu Lukaku and Arouna Kone, allowing them to turn and run at the defenders. Something we have been desperate for them to do all season.
The opening goal came from just such a move, Lukaku laying it off to McCarthy, whose shot deceived and wrong-footed Tim Krul.
There were a few nervy moments towards the end of the first half, with Everton sinking deep and playing like a side without a home league win all year. As they walked off at the break you sensed they definitely needed a second goal to make things safe.
Thankfully they didn't have to wait long for that crucial second. The excellent Aaron Lennon pinching the ball from Yoan Gouffran before being tripped in the area.
Lukaku (not Baines) stepped up to take the spot-kick and slammed the ball into the bottom corner.
Things got even better minutes later when Fabricio Coloccini dived in two-footed in a tackle with Lennon, resulting in a straight red card.
It was all going our way, finally.
Everton have severely missed Leon Osman this season and the veteran midfielder showed what an under-rated player he is with a excellently measured performance, showing a calm head when linking midfield and attack.
Darron Gibson was also superb alongside the ever brilliant McCarthy - surely there can be no way back for Gareth Barry after that?
Kone deserved a start alongside Lukaku and although he made an impact, I'm yet to be convinced by his abilities. He lacked urgency at times, failing to look up when in possession, while he also hesitated at the crucial moment when clean through on goal.
Tim Krul was busy as Everton pushed for a third, making great saves from Kone and Osman, before Ryan Taylor blocked substitute Ross Barkley's shot on the line.
At the other end credit to Tim Howard for making a fine stop from Moussa Sissoko on way to a welcome clean sheet.
The only negative was the fact they didn't score more, until the final minute of stoppage time when Christian Atsu capped an impressive cameo display with a quick break and ball through to Barkley, who rounded Krul and slotted home.
It was a game where everything finally came together and the team looked like the side we saw play so well last season.
They key now is sustaining it of course, with a critical week to come featuring the second leg against Kiev and trip to QPR.
They have certainly given themselves a great platform to build on going into those games, and two wins from two would ensure we can look forward to the rest of the season with optimism rather than dread.