SMOKIN’ HOT SIGGY!
Gylfifires at the double
GYLFI SIGURDSSON was the Everton match-winner with two classy finishes to end the visitors’ poor run.
But Cardiff remain in grave danger after failing to take advantage of the Toffees’ recent slump and clear lack of confidence. Sigurdsson netted the winner when the sides met in November and the Iceland ace opened the scoring last night with Everton’s only shot on target in the first half in the 41st minute. He then followed his clinical right-foot goal with an equally deadly left-foot finish to double the lead in the 66th minute. It made it 12 for the season for the midfielder and silenced the jeers of home fans who booed the ex-Swansea star on his return to Wales. Sigurdsson was eventually subbed late on to a standing ovation from the away end. Victory was a huge relief for Everton boss Marco Silva as his side overcame a fragile start to end a dire run of three successive defeats.
It also gives them a much-needed boost ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby but they will need to check on the fitness of Richarlison after the £44m Brazilian limped off. He was one of just six survivors from the loss to Silva’s old club Watford as Everton started with Phil Jagielka, 36, for the first time since he was sent off on the opening day at Wolves. Cardiff boss Neil Warnock also made five changes as he looked for a response from the Bluebirds’ embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to Watford last Friday. He very nearly got it within seconds when the recalled Kenneth Zohore crossed from the left and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looked set to tap in only for Lucas Digne to produce a superb last-ditch clearance. Everton winger Theo Walcott volleyed well wide in the 12th minute but his next effort in the 23rd was closer as his dipping right-foot shot flew just over. The Toffees were the more imaginative side and went ahead with a well-worked move down the right. Morgan Schneiderlin, impressing in his first appearance of the year, got the ball rolling with a good pass down the line to Seamus Coleman. The defender did well to pick out Sigurdsson who finished expertly. Cardiff threatened briefly but Everton still looked more likely to score and Bernard, on for Richarlison, quickly made an impact. His low cross-shot from the left was palmed away by keeper Neil Etheridge but fell straight to Sigurdsson who despatched a first-time shot high into the net. And Dominic Calvert-Lewin wrapped up the win in stoppage time with a fine right-foot finish from outside the box for his seventh goal of the season.