Everton have a pedigree player in saint Bernard
Kept back by Marco Silva at the beginning of this season, the secret is now out about Bernard. everton’s manager started the Brazilian for the first time in the premier League at Leicester and after weeks of warming up he came out hot. His wonderful assist for Richarlison’s goal arrived inside seven minutes and there were numerous further flourishes to suggest everton’s attack has gained an elegant variance. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s winning goal was undoubtedly the standout moment in the match. His Cruyff turn into a 25-yard shot that scorched into the net was magnificent to behold. But we knew Sigurdsson could score spectacularly from distance. Up until now, Bernard was an unknown quantity in england. It turns out you can get something for nothing, though. Something special indeed. everton signed Bernard on a free transfer after his contract at Shakhtar Donetsk ran out in the summer and Silva was a pivotal factor in him joining the Merseyside club. Chelsea and West Ham had registered interest while both Milan clubs made concrete offers. But Silva persuaded Bernard, 26, to move to Goodison park. ‘It’s true, he had some very good offers, some premier League but not just them,’ said Silva. ‘He is a player I know can give different things for us as a winger. He has a different profile.’ Silva positioned Bernard on the left, shifting Richarlison to centre forward. With Sigurdsson in his preferred No 10 role and theo Walcott on the right wing, it looks a quartet of good balance and creativity. Silva added: ‘that was something we had prepared during the sessions. We had to give the minutes to Bernard to come back in the right physical condition to play at this level and intensity. Before the Carabao Cup game last tuesday he didn’t play 90 minutes since March. It is important for him in the future, for sure he will play better than that.’ If that is correct, everton’s season is certainly promising. Bernard beat Ricardo pereira and Daniel Amartey with smoothness of movement before crossing to Richarlison for the first goal, and he also set Walcott clear in the second half with an inventive through-ball. He was neat in all he did and a stronger presence than his 5ft 4in frame might suggest, performing defensive duties too. ‘they know, all of them, if they don’t work really hard to help our team without the ball it’s not easy to play with me,’ said Silva. Sigurdsson’s strike was his 50th in the premier League and his 19th from outside the box — no player has more since the Iceland international signed for Swansea in 2012. ‘I’m not afraid to shoot, I put in plenty of practice,’ said Sigurdsson. ‘It was certainly a nice way to get my 50th. Now I can go for the hundred!’ Wes Morgan was sent off for two bookable offences in the 63rd minute to undermine Leicester’s efforts. It was the second time in three premier League matches the Leicester captain has been dismissed, adding to concerns time is catching up with the 34-year-old. He said: ‘It’s very frustrating. I feel I’ve been playing well and I want to continue that in as many games as possible.’