Bernard says a combination of scoring his beautifully crafted goal against West Ham United last week and banking 14 months' experience of Premier League football have sent his confidence levels through the roof.

The Brazilian was one of five Everton players recalled to face the Hammers after illness ruled him out of last month’s visit of Manchester City and he subsequently watched from the bench at Burnley.

Bernard’s two-game absence, though, proved only a brief interruption in the forward’s bright start to this campaign.

He began Everton’s opening three matches and scored the lone goal of his side’s first home game against Watford.

Indeed, Bernard’s fortunes have often run parallel to those of his team. He arguably played his best football last term in Everton’s closing 10 games, a period when Marco Silva’s side claimed 20 points and lost only twice.

The 27-year-old’s strike in Everton's 2-0 triumph over West Ham laid the platform for the Blues' most complete performance this season and a first win in five Premier League matches.

Manager Silva takes his team to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday aiming for successive victories.

Asked if he was operating with more confidence than at any point since signing from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer, Bernard told evertontv: “I think so, yes, it is a process of adapting.

“I feel I am adapting and growing and getting more experience.

“I am definitely feeling more confident and perhaps it is the most confident I have been.

“I just want to keep that going and bring that belief to the pitch more regularly.

“I think [beating West Ham] gives the team confidence to go forward and look at the things we are doing right.

“But we also analyse what we did not do so well.

“Winning gives you confidence to go forward and try to continue this kind of form.”

The diminutive Bernard’s combative streak and teak-tough build enabled him to quickly confound doubters who feared the South American's size would go against him in England's full-blooded top-flight.

His balance and mastery of the football, meanwhile, won the player enormous adulation in his debut Everton season.

In particular, Evertonians were gripped by the sight of Bernard and Lucas Digne forming a potent left-flank understanding founded on movement, instinct, flair and imagination.

Bernard nevertheless entered this season wanting to deliver more match-defining contributions.

He laid on a goal for Richarlison on his full Premier League debut at Leicester City 12 months ago but his final tallies of two goals and four assists, in Bernard’s own view, did not do justice to his rare ability.

It is a source of personal satisfaction, then, that he has already twice hit the net in Everton successes this season.

But for all that, Bernard admits he'll always derive a deal of pleasure from entertaining supporters with his heady brand of trickery.

“The main influence on your ability to do a good job is bringing happiness to your work,” says Bernard.

“I always try to do that, not just on the pitch but in every training session.

“I really enjoy trying different things

“But you have to be careful and make sure you do them at the right time.

“When they work out it is really pleasing for me, I am very happy.

“I just want to carry on and do my best and, hopefully, things will keep working out.”