Everton 1-0 Cardiff
by James Nalton
at Goodison Park

GYLFI SIGURDSSON guided Everton to a narrow win at home to Cardiff City on Saturday, and his performance was the difference between the two sides.

Were it not for the Icelander, this game will have gone down in the history books as a dull 0-0 draw if it went down in the history books at all.

Everton manager, Marco Silva, duly praised Sigurdsson’s display after the game.

“He’s now has a better understanding of what I want, what moves he has to do and the space on the pitch he has to receive the ball,” said the Portuguese.

“He is a very good player with lot of quality. He can arrive well in the box, which I like from players in that position.”

The opening period of the game lacked chances, but both defences were working well as a unit.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock was right when he said: “Given the quality [Everton] have had in recent weeks, we made them look average today and that was down to us, not them.”

The game needed someone to take control of it and Sigurdsson was the man for the job.

Andre Gomes and Bernard were the two other bright sparks for Everton and it was a promising full home debut for centre back Yerry Mina.

Gomes can slow the game down then speed it up seconds later with one movement or pass, while behind him Idrissa Gueye mops up and gets things moving.

Silva was keen to point out the “fantastic work the other two are doing behind [Sigurdsson].”

Gomes's work in deeper areas allowed Sigurdsson to move further forward in support of Richarlison, which meant he was on hand to slot home a rebound when Walcott's shot was saved by Etheridge. 

The Cardiff goalkeeper made further saves from Richarlison and Ademola Lookman but didn't get the luck when he needed it.

These are the breaks Warnock will need to go his way in the future if his side are to stay in the league, which he said would be the biggest achievement of his career.