Everton forward Bernard says he is enjoying his “best moment” since arriving at the Club last summer.
The Brazilian has started the Blues' past six matches and capped a dazzling personal display in last month’s 2-0 victory at West Ham United with his first Premier League goal.
Bernard put in a tremendous shift to help Marco Silva's side beat Arsenal 1-0 on their most recent Goodison Park outing, his impressive numbers from that match reflecting a dynamic individual performance.
The South American was signed from Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk but a pre-existing shoulder injury put his full top-flight debut on hold until October.
“I did not have a pre-season and was out for more than five months with my shoulder injury – but now I am feeling this is my best moment in the Premier League,” Bernard told evertontv.
“It is my first season in this country and I feel very good with Everton and in English football.
“Even with a pre-season, I would have needed some time to get used to the Premier League.
“I have been adapting and understanding how English football works. This is the most competitive championship in the world and where every player wants to be.
“I have been improving and it is not only me, the whole team is getting better together.”
Bernard made his first Everton Premier League start against Leicester City back on October 6 and conjured a goal for compatriot Richarlison inside the game’s opening seven minutes.
The 26-year-old has started a further 20 top-flight fixtures but really came into his own after being reintroduced to the side for last month’s Goodison Merseyside derby.
He struck two shots on target against Arsenal and, operating in tandem with Lucas Digne, routinely carved open the Gunners down their right-hand side.
Bernard and Digne’s left-flank partnership is fast-developing into one of Everton’s most potent weapons. The more offensive player makes a meaningful contribution off the ball, too.
Against Arsenal, Bernard completed three interceptions and 17 sprints and became the fifth quickest player across that weekend’s top-flight action when he reached a top speed of 33.85kph.
And the 14-cap international is intent on helping Everton immediately rediscover their winning touch against Manchester United following the defeat at Fulham last weekend which checked the Blues’ three-match winning run.
Indeed, Marco Silva’s side has won four and drawn one of its past seven league games, scoring 10 goals and conceding five. They welcome United to Goodison on Sunday aiming for a third straight home win following successes against Chelsea and Arsenal.
“We know about Manchester United and how difficult the match will be – but we feel very confident and have been playing well,” added Bernard.
“We need to keep going and try to reverse the result from the game at Fulham.
“We did not play well there but we have a lot of confidence from our recent run. We have shown we can create chances and score goals and defend strongly as a team.
“I had five years in Ukraine with Shakhtar and in the Premier League there is a big difference in level from what I was used to.
“The only games which had real intensity were the ‘classics’ against Dynamo Kiev and when we played in the Champions League.
“Here, we have that intensity every week, each match is difficult.
“I want to continue improving, to play well against Manchester United and in the remaining games.
“And then get ready to keep getting better next season.”
