SIG STUNNER WILL BE TOFF TO BEAT

AS introductions go, Gylfi Sigurdsson knows his 50-yard stunner on his full Everton debut takes some beating.

With a swing of his right boot, he answered the doubters who questioned Everton spending a club record £45million on him.

But he was more bothered that his goal helped seal Everton’s place in the Europa League than justifying his price tag.

“Yes, it was fantastic,” said the Iceland midfielder. “It was a good goal for me personally and it came at a very important time for us.

“Of course, it’s important for me to score goals, especially in a game like this. It’s a good start.

“I don’t think about the fee. It’s totally out of my hands. I think the market is a little bit crazy – no, I don’t think it’s a little bit crazy, it is crazy.

“But I can’t control that. My job is just to perform, try to score and create goals and to work hard for the team. And as long as I do that, hopefully I will make everyone happy.”

Sigurdsson marked his Reading debut in 2009 with

a 35-yard effort, but says his equaliser against Hajduk Split tops it.

He revealed the quick thinking behind his goal, anticipating the keeper would be off his line.

“That goal for Reading was one of my favourites,” he said. “But this was better because it was more important and on a bigger stage.

“I pressed one of their defenders – either the leftback or the centre-half – and I managed to get a touch on it. The ball was in the air and I thought the keeper would be off his line.

“I didn’t look to see if he was, but I expected him to be because they had been in possession of the ball.

“I don’t think there was much else on. I think Wayne was to my left somewhere so I just had a go and thankfully it went in.”

Everton’s reward is to be drawn in Group E with Lyon, Atalanta and Apollon Limassol.

But first up is Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and Sigurdsson insists the Toffees can challenge in the Premier League and in Europe.

“It’s very important we make a mark in Europe,” he said. “You can see in the summer the club has spent a lot of money to make the squad bigger for us to compete in this competition.

“I think the squad is both good enough and strong enough to cope with both the Premier League and the Europa League.

“It’s been a good start for us. We’re still unbeaten. Chelsea will be difficult, but hopefully we can continue our unbeaten run.”