Lots of Everton fans have been lauding Bernard on social media, after the club shared a number of statistics from his “fantastic” performance against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Brazilian midfielder featured in the starting line-up of a Premier League match for only the ninth time this season on Saturday, with boss Carlo Ancelotti favouring Bernard as the wide-left option in a flat 4-4-2.
Ancelotti had only called on the one-time international to start against Burnley and from the bench against Liverpool in the FA Cup during his previous games in charge, while a knee injury hampered Bernard’s campaign under Marco Silva.
Brighton boss Graham Potter would likely have wished that Bernard was only on the bench at the weekend after the performance he would produce against the Seagulls, with the club sharing that he made 17 final third passes, created four chances and won six duels.
Is Bernard a guaranteed starter when fit?
Yes
No
Bernard played his four key balls from a total of 35/47 accurate passes, having spent five per cent of the match in control of possession and using his 64 touches to create three successful dribbles and one shot, per WhoScored data.
The £18million-rated star also took possession with two of his three tackles, while Sofa Score statistics show he won his six ground duels from eight attempts.
Sofa Score figures also show that Bernard found a teammate with two of his three long-range passes, but failed to find anyone in the box with either of his two crosses.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans lauded Bernard for his performance in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brighton…
He was fantastic yesterday, gotta first name on the team sheet from on
— simon (@si1979_efc) January 12, 2020
We need more players ike him
— Richard Hughes (@Puckyou1912) January 12, 2020
Not just in his feet, has a great football brain. His positioning and defensive work was also excellent yesterday.
— Stefan (@UnqEdu) January 12, 2020
He is so intelligent with the ball. Glad he’s back!
— BetsieSalt (@SaltBetsie) January 12, 2020
and some people don’t rate him. has to start every game for us
— zac (@z_c31) January 12, 2020
He shows his confidence is back. When he came on against Chelsea it all looked a bit nervous for me. Man of the match for me.
— DutchBlue (@4EverBlue69) January 12, 2020
He was truly fantastic yesterday. It’s great to see him back in the team and once we’ve got him completing 90 minutes he’ll be scaring the life out of opposition teams. Brilliant player. #BernardWillTearYouApart #EFC
— Daz (@BluDazza17) January 12, 2020
When he plays – Everton play too! Great player!
— DFS1878🇮🇹#CarloFantastico! (@DavidSandle) January 12, 2020
Pure class that man is. A real gem of a player. I love watching his magic feet, control and skill. My only comment as a very average Sunday league player would be to shoot more often as he has dynamite in both his feet
— Park End Kings (@ParkRdGoodison) January 12, 2020
How didn’t he get MOTM
— Bradielka 💙 (@EvertonEFC18788) January 12, 2020
In other Everton news, a £6million player is ‘close’ to securing a deal to leave Goodison Park this month.