Everton news: Marco Silva believes Toffees have reached a turning point after win at Cardiff

Everton ended a three-match losing streak with a 3-0 victory in Wales on Tuesday

Phil Blanche
Wednesday 27 February 2019 06:50 EST
Comments
Everton 2018/19 Premier League profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Marco Silva hopes Everton have found a turning point in their season after ending a three-match losing streak with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Cardiff.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice and Dominic Calvert-Lewin added another in stoppage time as Everton climbed two Premier League places to ninth.

“I am delighted with the result and the attitude of the players,” Everton boss Silva said.

“Credit to the players, our performance was back to the normal levels.

“When you are winning the confidence can return. We knew they were strong and would compete hard for second balls.”

Asked if this victory could provide a turning point after his position had come under scrutiny following a run of five defeats in six games in all competitions, Silva replied: “We hope so.

“We have been missing some consistency as a team and have lost confidence.

“We have been up and down many times. One of the things I want is more consistency.

Everton host title-chasing Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, and Silva said: “We now have a special match for our fans and hope to give them a good feeling.

“Sunday is a really important game. But it will be a different game in front of our fans and we expect a fantastic atmosphere.”

Sigurdsson’s brace saw him become the highest-scoring Icelandic player in Premier League history.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice against Cardiff
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice against Cardiff (Getty)

The 29-year-old has now scored 57 Premier League goals, two more than former Bolton and Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen.

“You are all seeing a different Gylfi this season,” Silva said after Sigurdsson had taken his league goals tally for the season to 11.

“Every single day he gives everything for the team.

“When he can score and assist it improves his confidence. He plays with a little more freedom and links more.”

Cardiff will drop into the bottom three on Wednesday should Southampton pick up at least a point against Fulham.

Marco Silva’s side have endured an indifferent run of form this season
Marco Silva’s side have endured an indifferent run of form this season (PA)

The Bluebirds head to Wolves on Saturday having conceded eight goals in successive home defeats to Watford and Everton, but boss Neil Warnock remains defiant about their survival chances.

“We will probably be in the bottom three when we go to Wolves and people will be writing us off,” Warnock said.

“I know my team for the Wolves game and I want people who will be in the trenches because I was let down by two or three tonight.

“I’m not going to throw the towel in and now is the time to stand up and be counted. We will not go down without a fight. But we’re running out of games now. We’ve got 10 games left and we have to make our own luck.”

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in