GANA’S SENEGAL CONTINUE WITH BETTER AFCON RECORD

Joao Virginia has described the feeling of enjoying in front of a packed Goodison Park as a “dream come true” and outlined his ambitions to keep trying to provoke supervisor Sean Dyche.

The Portuguese goalkeeper was once handed a second begin of this month by way of Dyche as he lined up between the sticks in ultimate week’s 1-0 FA Cup third round replay victory over Crystal Palace. The 24-year-old also began in advance of Club No.1 Jordan Pickford in the first assembly between the two aspects at Selhurst Park.

Virginia was once a commanding and assured presence for the duration of each fixtures, helping Everton shut out Roy Hodgson’s men with the aid of making eight blended saves.

Five of these came in closing week’s conflict at Goodison Park, the pick of these coming in second-half stoppage time when the Everton goalkeeper unfold himself to beautifully deny Jeffrey Schlupp with a free header at the returned post.

His performance in that recreation at Goodison saw him awarded the contest’s Player of the Match and drew high reward from Dyche who labelled his late store “fantastic” in his post-match press conference.

“It was a dream come real and I was once honestly pleased it turned out the way it did,” Virginia told evertontv reflecting on the win. “We managed to get into the subsequent stage [of the FA Cup] so I was once honestly pleased.

“Just to play in the front of the Evertonians was a big issue for me, and to play like that – it was once amazing.”

Although Virginia joined the Club from Arsenal in the summer time of 2018, ultimate week’s victory was just his fifth Senior appearance for Everton and his first since March 2021. But from these five, the former Sporting CP shot-stopper does boast three blended easy sheets.

That is a document Virginia is proud of and, though aware opposition is stiff due to Jordan Pickford’s standout abilities, he is hopeful more opportunities to construct on that file will come his way under Dyche’s tenure.

“The manager gave me a chance and I took it,” said Virginia. “Hopefully, he continues giving me chances to play more.

“It was a tough recreation (last week) and Palace did well, they had a few chances so all I can do is be ready and hold us in the game. My attitude is always to be equipped and I have to preserve on going, and take it onto the next games I get a hazard to.”

On the win handing the Blues three smooth sheets from their opening three games of 2024, Virginia added: “It offers us massive confidence. The backline is playing well, Jordan is going remarkable and I am pushing, so it’s a proper feeling and with a bit of luck now we will start getting some greater wins.”