Everton boss Marco Silva impressed by Richarlison’s hunger and resilience
The Brazilian looked in trouble after rolling his ankle early in the first half, but went on to score twice against Brighton.
Everton manager Marco Silva believes Richarlison is setting an example to the rest of the squad.
The £40million summer signing repaid the faith shown in him by the Toffees boss in continuing to play him as a central striker with two goals in the comfortable 3-1 win over Brighton.
It took his tally to six for the season, already one more than he managed in the whole of the previous campaign.
Playing for Watford 12 months ago the goals dried up in November and he failed to find the net in 28 successive matches, but Silva has seen the hunger which is driving the forward.
He believes his second goal, Everton’s third, against the Seagulls typified that as he seized on a loose pass from Lewis Dunk to skip past Shane Duffy and round goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
And all that after looking in real trouble after rolling his right ankle early in the first half.
“It was no surprise to me that Richarlison carried on but it shows you his resilience,” said Silva.
“That is Richarlison. He never gives up, he’s always ready to play, to fight and to achieve and to give good things for us on the pitch.
“He won the ball (for his second goal) and his quality and the way he finished the moment was fantastic.
“It is one of our ways and the type of behaviour I want on the pitch. He wanted that ball and when he got it, he had the quality needed to finish it.”
Defeat not only extended Brighton’s 105-year wait for a win at Goodison Park but also ended a run of three successive 1-0 victories.
Manager Chris Hughton is already looking for his side to bounce back, starting at struggling Cardiff next week.
“You kick on by accepting the fact that you’re Brighton playing in the Premier League — it’s only our second season and there’s going to be ups and downs,” he said.
“We were away from home and up against a team that I think will push for the top six.
“Sometimes you have to accept that, dust yourselves down and make sure you’re ready for the next game and come out fighting.”
