Joao Virginia hopes to build upon his promising display at Crystal Palace on Thursday, where the 24-year-old shot-stopper earned a clean sheet in his first Everton start since March 2021.

Coming into Sean Dyche's line-up to replace Jordan Pickford for the Toffees’ 2023/24 FA Cup opener, the Portuguese shot-stopper made three important saves in the third-round tie.

Since joining Everton in 2019, Virginia has gained valuable experience while on loan spells at Reading, Sporting Clube de Portugal, and SC Cambuur.

Thursday’s encounter marked the goalkeeper’s fourth senior appearance for the Blues, and Virginia - boosted by his performance - is eyeing a start in the replay of the game at Goodison Park on Wednesday 17 January.

“It makes me feel confident about myself, but I have to stay grounded and keep working hard,” he told evertontv after the match. “It’s been a long time since I played here. I think I’m doing the right stuff at the training ground, and that’s why [the manager] picked me today.

“I would love to play at Goodison with the full crowd! Last time I played there, it was during Covid, and I just can’t wait. Hopefully, I get my chance again.”

The goalkeeper’s contributions to the goalless tie at Selhurst Park included an impressive stop to reach down to his left to deny Eagles' dangerman Eberechi Eze from finding the net with a powerful low shot in the final moments of the game.

Delighted to be involved and keen to acknowledge the role of the more than 4,000 travelling Evertonians, Virginia explained: “I was buzzing to get back into the team. It’s been a long time and I’ve been away, but I've been doing the work right, so I could get a chance.

“All I could do was keep the team in the game, and that’s what I did. I felt really good about it. Our supporters were there right by my side. I felt their support and I thank them for it.

“They travelled down in these conditions – very wet, and a very long drive. We’ll take the game to Goodison and, for sure, they’ll back us up.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off for Everton in the 79^th minute, following a VAR review of the striker's sliding challenge on Nathaniel Clyne. The incident came at a stage when the Toffees were firmly in control, as between half-time and the red card, Everton had registered seven attempts to the hosts’ three.

Disappointed to see his teammate dismissed, Virginia knows his side were the better team throughout much of the contest.

He added: “I think we played well, and it was an unfortunate decision for the red card. Up until that very moment, we were dangerous; we were on top.

“Stuff happens like this, but we stayed together, and we managed to go home with a replay.”