Silva marks his Goodison debut with important win

In his first competitive match at Goodison Park, Marco Silva led Everton to a 2-1 win over Southampton after the Blues put on a resplendent attacking performance in the first half the likes of which we only saw at the pinnacle of Roberto Martinez’s tenure.

After the game, Silva was happy with the result.

“We deserved the three points and it was a good win for us. We did very well in the first half and in the second half there was a reaction [from Southampton]. In that moment you have to manage the game in a different way.

“Defending from set pieces is something we are working to improve on but after Southampton scored we had enough chances to get the third goal ourselves, so I think it was a fair result.

“It’s really important and special when you work on something specific during the week and, after, the players can put it on to the pitch. It’s important for us as staff and important for the players as well.

“In football today the details make the difference. In every game, some moments are really balanced and you have to try to do something different to achieve what you want - to win.

“Everything is new now but we’re working hard to improve every day. We have a lot of things to improve on but I’m happy, and the players have to be happy as well.”

Silva commended the home support that welcomed him with a big roar to start the game.

“Everybody is happy because it was an important victory for us. It was a good performance in some moments of the game as well. The atmosphere inside the stadium was fantastic and, overall, for our first match, it’s really good.

“It was fantastic [to have that support]. That was something I expected.

“I know at this Club it is normal that there is a fantastic atmosphere during the matches. [The fans] know, because I already told them, that it’s important for me and the players to feel them behind us, always supporting our players.

“Even in some moments of the game that you cannot perform well, it is important to have their support every time.”

Richarlison scored again yesterday and his confidence is sky-high right now.

“It’s important for him. I don’t like to talk about individual players every time - for me the most important thing is always the squad.

”But, of course, two games and three goals is important for him, like the first goal of Theo’s was also important.

”It’s important for all our forwards, for all our players, to contribute goals and get confidence from that.”

The manager also provided an update on the injury status of Morgan Schneiderlin who left the game yesterday after twenty minutes.

“I hope it’s nothing serious. We’ll see in the next few days how he reacts.”

Schneiderlin has looked rejuvenated under Silva and started the game against his former side the Saints very strongly, so the Blues will be desperately hoping he recovers quickly, especially with his understudy Beni Baningime still injured as well.