Silva commends Everton personality, praise for Richarlison, Delph & Iwobi

Everton thrice took the lead, and twice watched Wolverhampton make a comeback before edging ahead late in the game at Goodison Park.

Richarlison scored a brace while Alex Iwobi added one too in the Blues 3-2 win, ensuring the Toffees maintained their sparkling home form in 2019 after conceding for the first time in months.

Speaking after the game, manager Marco Silva commended his side on BBC Match of the Day -

“It was a good competitive match and we deserved the three points. We started well and I didn’t like the way we conceded but we always showed a fantastic reaction.

“If you look at our match at Aston Villa we did well for the first 20-25 minutes. Different game at Goodison we started strongly and then had a strong personality to come back when they scored. Wolves came here to be solid and go at us on the counter attack.

”We didn’t give their wing-backs a lot of space to threaten us so we controlled things really well.”

Silva reserved some special praise for some new signings, starting with Fabian Delph who had an excellent game controlling proceedings in the middle of the park.

“He showed a very good performance and Fabian is not in his best physical condition yet.

“He will improve more. I was concerned a little bit if he could play the 90 minutes this afternoon because he played 70-75 on Wednesday.

”He was really good on the pitch. If not, I would take him out before the end. His quality, no doubts about that. He showed that and it’s really important.”

He went on to add that Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean had good games too.

“Alex performed this afternoon. For them (Iwobi & Delph), it is easier than some of the others. They know Premier League. For Fabian and Alex, nothing is new, just that they are playing now in our blue shirt. We are talking about high quality players. They know the league, intensity and the opponents.

“For the players from abroad, it is more difficult. It was a very good performance coming from Fabian but it is something I expect.

”Moise did well but we are talking about a boy who was 19 in February. He worked well but he needs more time to adapt to know the players, teams and even the referees.”

Richarlison is rounding into form after scoring midweek and celebrating it very vocally and emotionally, and stepped up today with a brace.

“Richarlison is the type of player that needs good performances and if possible to win more confidence in the way he likes to play.

”The way he celebrated the last goal against Lincoln shows he needs these kinds of moments. Last season, he did all the pre-season for us. This season he did Copa America and after was on holiday and started the first game against Crystal Palace with 13 days working with us. Miracles we cannot do.

“He needs time like all the players to be best physical condition. He scored two really important goals for us. He will keep improving for sure. We are talking about a fantastic football player and a fantastic boy. He is the spirit inside our dressing room.”