Joao Virginia has explained how the Everton coaching staff and his teammates helped ensure he was primed and ready for his Premier League debut against Burnley on Saturday – and is hungry to make his maiden top-flight appearance “the first of many” for the Blues.

Virginia was introduced as a 43rd-minute substitute in Saturday’s game at Goodison Park, replacing the injured Jordan Pickford.

The Portugal Under-21 international was quickly forced into action, smothering Josh Brownhill’s powerful effort from the edge of the area. He was alert and accomplished when called upon in the second half, too, foiling Matej Vydra and Jay Rodriguez with fine saves.

Virginia's display earned praise from Carlo Ancelotti who described him as “comfortable and secure”, with the Everton boss also highlighting the young keeper’s “professionalism every day” in training.

Virginia – whose previous First-Team Everton appearance came in September’s Carabao Cup victory over Salford City – revealed the advice Ancelotti and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly offered before striding out for his Premier League debut on Saturday.

“The manager and Alan told me to be confident and keep it simple and let the game come to me,” the 21-year-old told evertontv. 

“That’s what I did. I waited for the game to come to me and everything went well.

“I’ve been training really well and I’ve been waiting for this moment. 

“You have to work every day in training and be ready in every matchday because it can happen. You have to be ready for it.

“I am happy with my performance. I am just disappointed we didn’t get the points because we were at home and I felt we could have done more.

“But I hope it’s the first of many appearances and I keep having the opportunity to play for Everton.”

Virginia joined Everton from Arsenal in summer 2018 directly after winning the European Under-19 Championship with Portugal.

In his debut season at the Club, he was an instrumental figure in the Everton Under-23s team that won an unprecedented Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup double.

Virginia revealed training with experienced international goalkeepers in Pickford and Robin Olsen has advanced his game. He also paid tribute to the influence to the “positive, assertive” influence of coach Kelly.

“I have always trained with great keepers at Everton,” Virginia added. 

“Since I joined the Club, I have been improving a lot every day from watching them and being in the First Team. It’s great

“Alan Kelly has been there since the first day I was at the Club and he has been helping me a lot.

“He was coach for the Under-23s three years ago when I first joined. He helped me a lot in my first season, when we won the Premier League 2 title. 

“He is very positive and calm and assertive when he talks with the players. 

“As a goalkeeper coach, he takes the time to explain everything to you and I have to thank him for getting me ready for this moment [making my Premier League debut].”