Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a goal in each half as Everton ended their three-game Premier League losing streak with a 3-0 win against Cardiff in Wales. Dominic Calvert-Lewin wrapped up the scoring following a great through ball by Idrissa Gueye as time ran down.
By Paul Conatzer
Twitter @Toffeepaul.com
Calvert-Lewin told the BBC in his post-game press interviews.
“We had a game plan of trying to dominate the ball well and we did that. It took us a while to get the goal but it was a great finish for Gylfi. When I saw the added time go up, I knew there were still three minutes to play so enough time to get a goal. I put my head down and Idrissa put me through. I did what I know which is putting the ball in the net.”
There was one moment of quality in the first half and Gylfi Sigurdsson took advantage to give Everton a 1-0 lead at the 41st minute mark of the first half. The Iceland international turned in Seamus Coleman’s cutback for his 10th goal of the season. The goal also made Sigurdsson the highest scoring Icelander in the Premier League with 56.
Morgan Schneiderlin started his first game since September and Phil Jagielka also got a rare start because of Kurt Zouma’s suspension.
Up until Sigurdsson’s goal, there was little to cheer about and little of value from either team. Neither team had a shot on goal until Sigurdsson scored.
Richarlison showed little in the first half and less in the second and Bernard replaced him with 30 minutes left to go.
It took Bernard five minutes to make an impact. He went past Bruno Ecuele Manga with ease, Cardiff could only clear the ball to Sigurdsson, who rifled the ball home for his third goal against Cardiff, this season.
It was a good result for Everton, who were playing for the first time in more than two weeks and will go into Sunday’s Merseyside Derby with some level of confidence.