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Men's Football Silva praises Richarlison after Brazilian plays through injury to help Everton defeat Brighton

Brazilian striker Richarlison fired Everton to victory against Brighton with goals either side of a Seamus Coleman strike.

The 21-year-old forward began the season playing from the left wing and managed to net three times in his first two games from this position but had only scored once playing as a striker.

Prior to this game his manager Marco Silva said he wasn’t too concerned about this lack of goals.

“He gives us good things as a striker and as a winger. When he plays as a striker, it is not just about scoring,” he said.

The former Fluminense and Watford man soon eased any concerns about his ability as a centre forward. A convincing left-footed effort finished off a counter-attack instigated by Kurt Zouma, Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Everton dominated for long periods of the game with Sigurdsson himself having a couple of early chances.

Crosses from Coleman and Lucas Digne troubled the Brighton defence, with the Icelander close to opening the scoring on each occasion.

However, the home side eased off after the opener and were punished when Lewis Dunk headed in Solly March's cross.

Coleman's effort arrived at just the right time for Everton as he blasted home five minutes into the second half.

Richarlison sealed the win with an impressive individual effort. He intercepted Dunk's poor square ball and left Shane Duffy chasing his shadow before rounding Mat Ryan to net at the Gwladys Street end.

There was a point in the first half when Richarlison looked like he might not be able to continue as he twisted his ankle on the artificial turf off the side of the pitch while chasing a loose ball.

He ran it off, however, and Silva was pleased with this resilience as much as he was with the goals.

"He played the second half with pain in his foot and there is a chance tomorrow it will be worse, but Richarlison never gives up,” said the Everton boss. 

“He is always ready to play and fight and give us good things on the pitch."

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