Marco Silva is urging Bernard to “be hungrier to score” after the Brazilian’s strike defeated Watford on Saturday.

Bernard swatted a low effort inside keeper Ben Foster’s right post for his third Everton goal – and first at Goodison Park in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old provided four top-flight assists last term, with his solitary league goal coming in a 2-0 victory at West Ham United.

Silva was heartened by Bernard’s decision to take the shooting option after skilfully manufacturing an opening against Watford.

And he hopes the player will be encouraged to continue in similar vein after being rewarded for his ambition at the weekend.

“It is something I am demanding every single day from him,” Silva told evertontv.

“We know Bernard is a player with high technical quality, giving us very good things and providing assists.

“But I want him to be more hungry to score.

“In some moments – it is maybe not the right word – I want him to be more selfish.

“He did that on Saturday – it was a really important moment for us and for Bernard.

“It is something he is working really hard on during the week and when the players work and see things happen in the game [as a result of that work] it is a very good feeling.”

Bernard’s quality has never been in question, the South American quickly acquiring a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most watchable players after joining Everton from Shakhtar Donetsk 12 months ago.

He started 27 games in all competitions last season and has rekindled his blossoming left-sided alliance with full-back Lucas Digne in this term’s opening two fixtures.

In 90 minutes against Watford, Bernard created three chances and attempted six dribbles, the highest totals of any player on the field on both counts.

He contested four tackles – joint highest among Premier League attackers in the weekend’s nine games – and entered 20 duels.

“Bernard is a player who, if he can see a teammate in a better position, will always try to assist,” said Silva.

“In some moments, one v one, or going into the box, you have to decide [which option to take] as fast as you can.

“He was assertive and took the decision to shoot on Saturday – and it was really important.

“He has to be there to score in big moments and he was, which was fantastic.”

Everton threatened to run away from Watford in the period after Bernard’s 10th-minute strike.

The visitors, though, grew in confidence the longer their deficit remained at one and gradually forced Everton onto the back foot.

But for all Watford’s possession – they had the better part of 60 per cent of the ball after half-time – Everton fought tooth and nail to restrict Javier Gracia’s side to two shots on target.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stood firm on both occasions – leaving Silva to reflect on the sort of victory which might not win plaudits for its beauty but counts for an awful lot in the final analysis all the same.

“I have a feeling, if this game was last season, we would not have won,” added Silva.

“If you perform well and are having a good afternoon like we were in the first 30 minutes, then you will normally win the game.

“Our second half was not the best but we kept solid and the players’ attitude was always fantastic, even if Watford created problems for us.

“It is not easy to control the game when there are a lot of long and direct balls.

“It was a good chance [to show Everton can grind out a result] because in some moments you have to win even if you don’t perform really well.

“That will make a big difference at the end of the season.”