Grealish was the matchwinner for the Toffees at the Vitality Stadium, as his deflected strike looped into the bottom-right corner in the 78th minute.

The victory moved Everton into the top half of the table, while Bournemouth's slide continued after it lost for the fourth time in five league matches.

Everton, despite being short-handed due to a combination of injury and suspension, had the better of proceedings, though both teams lacked a clinical edge throughout the contest.

Antoine Semenyo had the first shot on target of the game when he stung Jordan Pickford's palms midway through the first half, though that was one of only five attempts that Bournemouth managed.

Everton, meanwhile, hit the woodwork twice in quick succession towards the end of the first half, with Alex Scott heading onto his own crossbar and a combination of the post and Djordje Petrovic denying Thierno Barry.

With Junior Kroupi seeing a goal disallowed for offside on the stroke of half-time, Barry forced Petrovic into a fine save early in the second period, but the deadlock was finally broken when Grealish's shot looped off Bafode Diakite.

Iliman Ndiaye almost made it 2-0, but the single goal was enough for Everton.