Everton finally put a halt to run of four consecutive defeats with a convincing 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Goodison Park on Saturday, leaving manager Marcos Silva pleased with his men's all-round performance.
The Everton boss singled out Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi and three others for special praise following the Toffee's brilliant 2-0 defeat of Manuel Pellegrini's West Ham side in the Premier League.
Bernard and substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson scored thrilling goals either side of half-time to earn Everton a first win in five matches and rescue their manager from getting the sack.
Iwobi could have scored on Saturday but for Hammer's goalkeeper Roberto who came up with a fine save to deny the Super Eagles star in the second half.
Marco Silva paid tribute to his Everton side afterwards.
“We deserved the three points and should have scored more goals,” said Silva as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“But the way we played was very good, quality football from the first minute. We embraced the game and the challenge.
“The past few results were not good enough and we had to react.
“It has to be privilege for us to do what we love.
“I asked the players to express themselves on the pitch and they did that.
“I was really pleased with how we played football this afternoon.
“We did well as a collective and had some very good individual performances as well.”
Silva heaped praise on Walcott, Bernard and Richarlison and the Blues boss also reserved kind words for Iwobi, who was terrific as Everton’s Number 10.
“The mobility in our offensive organisation was very good, our three players in attack [Walcott, Bernard and Richarlison], and Alex Iwobi understood where the space was and did everything we planned.
“Theo is still a really important player for me. He showed me during the week he was ready to play.
“We had a plan, we saw something in the opponent where Theo could be key for us, with Alex (Iwobi) behind the striker.
“We created chances and scored a very good goal early… all the first half was really good.
“The result could have been more comfortable.
“When you are in a very good moment the ball goes in easier.
“But we were in control and trying to score more goals.
“We finished the game with a good moment [Sigurdsson's goal] which was good to see.
“Credit to our players for the way we played, the pace and intensity they put into the game.”
Silva had also asked Evertonians to generate a partisan atmosphere inside Goodison Park and he was granted his wish.
“I asked the crowd to support our players from the first minute because in these types of moments we have to show how Everton is strong as a football club and they did that,” added Silva.
“They supported us and were really good for the whole match.”
