Danny Murphy praises Everton’s Bernard

Follow us on Google Discover

Marco Silva’s Everton side ran out comfortable winners on Boxing Day, with Bernard excelling.

Danny Murphy has told Match of the Day, which was broadcast on BBC One on 26th December, that Marco Silva has given Everton attacking midfielder Bernard a ‘kick up the backside’ recently.

Bernard was brought to Everton in the summer, and he has largely impressed at Goodison Park.

However, the Brazilian was dropped by Silva for Everton’s last game, after a series of mediocre showings.

Bernard was then brought back into Everton’s team at Burnley, as the Toffees ran riot at Turf Moor.

And Murphy believes that Silva’s management of the playmaker has been very good.

“I thought Bernard was the standout today,” Murphy said. “It was probably his best game in an Everton shirt. Maybe leaving him out last week gave him the kick of the backside he needed.

“He was closing people down, he created, his end product was a lot better and that’s what you want to see when you leave players out.

“I still think Evertonians haven’t seen the best of him yet. Promising performance from him.”

Bernard set up Everton’s first goal against Burnley, as he crossed for Yerry Mina to head home from close range.

That goal set Everton on their way to a highly impressive victory, as they won 5-1 on their travels.

The victory helps to relieve some of the pressure building around Goodison Park, after what had been a poor spell of form.

Everton are now in eighth place in the Premier League table, with their next match coming against Brighton & Hove Albion.