Gylfi Sigurdsson says Everton will summon a huge effort when they are confronted with three games in seven days next week following a “sweet” success against Leicester City on Wednesday.

Midfielder Sigurdsson was recalled to face Leicester following two appearances from the bench and justified Carlo Ancelotti’s selection with a tireless and influential display.

The 30-year-old struck from the spot after 16 minutes – Everton’s first Premier League penalty in more than 15 months – adding to Richarlison’s 10th-minute opener.

Leicester rallied and pulled a goal back through substitute Kelechi Iheanacho shortly after half-time, forcing Everton onto the back foot for the closing stages.

Sigurdsson performed his deep-lying role expertly as Everton resisted Brendan Rodgers’ tenacious side to climb to 11th and within two points of seventh-placed Arsenal.

“We played well in the first half but probably took our foot off the pedal in the second and were hanging on to our lead,” Sigurdsson told evertontv.

“After Leicester scored we were too deep and too passive but we hung on and managed to get the three points, which was very sweet.

“We knew they would make some changes [at half-time] and struggled a bit with their shape in the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half.

“The manager made a couple of changes to our shape and brought on some fresh legs.

“It was a little bit better defensively after that.

“We should have played better in the second half but as long as we are winning that is all that matters.

“Leicester are a team that has been very strong this season and it was nice to get three points.”

Sigurdsson played all 10 matches for which he was available under Ancelotti before the coronavirus outbreak forced football into shutdown.

He was used as a substitute against Liverpool and Norwich City, however, when Everton returned to action last month.

The Icelander came back into the side, after 115 days without a competitive start, in the holding midfield position where he is typically employed by manager Ancelotti.

And Sigurdsson, who carved out his reputation as a schemer higher up the field, insists he is enjoying getting to grips with a new role.

His success from 12 yards – after Wilfred Ndidi was punished for handball to give Everton their first top-flight penalty since a home meeting with Chelsea on 18 March last year – capped a fine night for the ex-Swansea City player.

“It [his position] has been different since the gaffer came in, a bit more defensive,” said Sigurdsson.

“I have got used to it now, sitting in front of the back four.

“It is good, I enjoy it.

“It was nice to get a goal and get a couple of shots off which I’ve not had in the past few games.

“It’s been a long time since we had a penalty, so it was pleasing to to score and get the three points and, overall, a good day.”

Everton travel to Sigurdsson’s former club Tottenham on Monday and are away at Wolverhampton Wanderers the following Sunday, those matches sandwiching Thursday’s home clash with Southampton.

Sigurdsson is braced for a testing week but echoed the view of manager Ancelotti, who is demanding Everton go all out to play Europa League football next season.

“It would be fantastic, all the boys want to be in Europe, travelling away and playing different teams,” continued Sigurdsson.

“It would make next season even better, I know it would be a lot of games but it would be nice to be in Europe.

“We have three games in seven days coming up and need the whole squad.

“We have lots of good players and a good squad.

“There will be a lot of games in the next couple of weeks and we just have to make sure we rest and recover and are ready for the next game and keep this going.”