Silva: Everton the best team on the pitch

Everton were utterly dominant earlier today, sweeping aside visitors Manchester United 4-0 with goals from Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott. The Toffees were radically opposite from their limp display away at Fulham last weekend, looking a threat every time they attacked while looking equally stable when defending a tired United side.

Speaking after the game, manager Marco Silva was very impressed by the performance his side put on.

“One of the favourite matches for sure.

“I can tell you the big difference I saw this afternoon compared to the Arsenal match was that we were more clinical and scored more goals. The other game we had big chances to score more but it was just one-nil.”

He added that he felt the Blues were the only team in this to win.

“Since the first minute we were the best team on the pitch. We showed the desire from the very first minute.

“We scored an early goal but we kept the pressure on them and didn’t give them any chances to create or get any shots on target.

“We put on some good pressure, had good defensive organization.

“We showed some very good moments of football, good quality and some nice goals, good goals for our fans to enjoy also.

A very good performance. We were the best team on the pitch since the first minute. Good goals also, quality, solid without the ball and we keep pressing them high.

“We never give them the chance to feel comfortable.

The Blues were unrelenting in the second half, doubling their 2-0 advantage from the break.

“It was very important in the second half we started strongly in the same way.

“We expected a reaction, Manchester United changed two players but kept the same formation and we kept doing the same.

“Every time we attacked we created a chance to score and got two more goals.”

That is now four straight clean sheets at home against top six opponents Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal & now United.

“Keeping the clean sheet is really important for us. Even if our aim is to score more goals we always want to keep a clean sheet. We give a quiet afternoon for our goalkeeper.”

Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson are still neck-and-neck in the race for the scoring title with 13 goals apiece in the Premier League.

“It’s important. Normally in my teams we don’t just have one player to score goals, not just the striker or one winger.

“I like it spread. The wingers can score, like Richarlison and today Theo Walcott also.

“We have one offensive midfielder like Gylfi who can score also. It’s a different role for him, if you compare last season to this season. Of course he is doing well because he prepares during the week very well, with all the work behind him, the two midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye.

“It’s always good to see our players scoring important goals. Gylfi and Richarlison are in a good fight and it’s important for us.”

How important was today’s performance after last weekend’s letdown last weekend at Fulham.

“Really important. With our quality we are capable of a different response also.

“Of course before Fulham we were on a good run, three wins in a row, clean sheets also.We expected a tough match, prepared for a tough match but it was not our afternoon.

“We had to prove our quality at home in front of our fans this afternoon against a really strong side and we did that. It was a good answer, it’s how I want them enjoying.

“It’s fantastic for me to see the fans like this, supporting the team. The environment in the stadium was fantastic and they were enjoying, our players were enjoying.

“They can rest tomorrow, and then Tuesday we start to prepare again for the next match.”