Marco Silva says “fighter” Richarlison deserves huge credit for playing through the pain barrier to help inspire Everton’s victory over Burnley on Friday.
Richarlison is nursing a rib problem sustained in last month’s thumping success against Manchester United.
The Brazilian recovered to complete 90 minutes at Crystal Palace nine days ago. And after starting the final Goodison Park fixture of 2018-19 – his 35th appearance this term – Richarlison was a key figure in Everton’s opening goal.
He retreated to his own half to launch a move which passed through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson, before returning to Richarlison to fire a shot that flew beyond Tom Heaton via a deflection from Burnley defender Ben Mee.
Goalkeeper Heaton was beaten again shortly after when Seamus Coleman headed in from close range as Everton swamped their visitors during a compelling opening half hour.
“It was fantastic to see how we played in the first 30 minutes,” said Silva, who also identified the dynamic performance of midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye as instrumental to Everton's 2-0 win.
“We had mobility on the pitch and the players were enjoying what they were doing – but that is because they are working really hard.
“From Jordan [Pickford, in goal] to Dominic [Calvert-Lewin, up front] they were fantastic.
“But I have to talk about two players.
"Richarlison made a big contribution – he worked during the week with pain in his rib, then made a big effort to play, to help the team.
“He started the game with the pain and made a big effort to play 50 minutes. It was an important period of the match.
“He is a fighter and a worker and he has the quality.
“And Gana had an amazing game again, Morgan [Schneiderlin] had a fantastic game, all our backline did really well, but Gana was fantastic.
“He played how I want, passing forward and supporting Morgan in some moments.
“The two of them of them controlled the game and it is everything I want from our team.”
Richarlison made way for Theo Walcott four minutes after half-time but his tally of three attempts at goal was eclipsed by only Calvert-Lewin, who took four shots in the game.
The formidable Gana, meanwhile, won four tackles and completed three interceptions. He had two strikes at goal and found his target with 90.1 per cent of his 71 passes.
Only centre-half Michael Keane [90.8 per cent] and Gana’s midfield partner Schneiderlin [93.2 per cent] returned greater passing accuracy figures than the Senegalese.
Everton had 20 shots in all to Burnley’s five and enjoyed 60 per cent of possession.
The eventual outcome represented a fourth home success on the bounce for Everton. Silva's side finished their Goodison campaign unbeaten in five and did not concede in any of those games.
They have claimed 20 points from their past 10 matches, recording eight clean sheets and scoring 16 goals.
The players were afforded a tremendous ovation from another sold-out Goodison crowd following the final whistle against Burnley.
And one of the biggest roars of the night was reserved for manager Silva when he emerged to join his players on their lap of appreciation.
“It was fantastic, when you work in football it is everything you want,” continued Silva, speaking to evertontv.
“It is your desire to do your job well, to develop your players and help them get better every day.
“And if your fans recognise your job, it is everything a manager or player wants.
“The best thing for me as Everton manager is when I leave the stadium and can see a smile on the supporters’ faces.
“It is what I want and I will keep doing my best to see a smile on their faces.
“Thanks to them, because they are realising how important they can be for us. And with them behind us, it will be a really tough Goodison for our opponents to visit.”
