Although plenty of footballers in the Premier League have had their game hindered by the lack of supporters in stadiums, there arguably aren’t many to have been adversely affected to the same extent as Everton’s Richarlison.
The Brazilian was expected to kick on again this season after an encouraging first two years at Goodison Park. However, for long spells of the 2020-21 term the usually vibrant forward has found the going tough and he’s cut a frustrated figure in a defensive Everton side.
So perhaps it was no surprise on Wednesday that Richarlison, in front of a backdrop of 6,000 Everton fans at Goodison Park, turned in one of his best performances in weeks.
Early in the second half he rose to meet Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner and did brilliantly to steer the ball into the corner of the net. In the end, it was enough to give Everton a win, just their second in 12 games at home, and keep their slender European hopes alive.
Fly Richy, fly! 🐦@richarlison97 #EVEWOL pic.twitter.com/DwLeI97nxq
— Everton (@Everton) May 19, 2021
It was clear in his celebration just how much the goal meant. Before the celebration itself, the excitement in the forward’s face about sharing such a moment with fans again was unashamed. Clearly it was something he’d been waiting for.
While Richarlison wasn’t sensational in general play, having fans to feed off clearly made a difference to the former Watford man.
When he had the ball there was more determination and directness in his running. Out of possession Richarlison was putting himself on the line too, chasing lost causes into channels with supporter encouragement ringing around the stadium and getting in the way of crosses and shots from the opposition.
At the end of a season where Richarlison’s development has plateaued, this display will give Evertonians encouragement.
Encouragement that with a packed house at Goodison behind him next season, the Brazilian can resume his role as the Toffees’ talisman and get back on the upward trajectory he’d been on in his first couple of years as an Everton player.