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Bernard has opened up on his desire to get himself on the scoresheet for Everton more often after a pair of promising displays.

The Brazilian was brought off the bench against Cardiff in midweek to help change the game for the Blues - brilliantly setting up Gylfi Sigurdsson's second goal in the 3-0 win with a direct run to the byline and a dangerous cross.

After that strong performance, the 26-year-old was handed the opportunity to impress from the start of proceedings in Sunday's Merseyside derby, and again was impressive.

The winger gave Trent Alexander-Arnold a tough time on multiple occasions with great skill and close control - and those qualities are something the summer arrival believes are central to his game.

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"I think it's actually part of my game naturally," Bernard told the ECHO .

"Obviously I had quite a big break from football and I didn't have a pre-season and there were times I was getting tired.

"But I'm constantly feeling better on the pitch and isolating people one-to-one, opening up spaces, creating opportunities to score - that's a characteristic of my game.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

"Hopefully I will be doing that now to contribute goals and to victories."

Bernard was close to, arguably, Everton's best chance of the match late on when Richarlison's cross was flashed across the area.

However, getting on the scoresheet more often is one of the Brazilian's big aims for the future - with his goal against Lincoln City in the FA Cup still his solitary effort in royal blue.

He said: "That big chance I had in the second half was the one Richarlison crossed in to me along the ground, but I just couldn't reach it!

"I want to be scoring goals, I've got the desire to score and help the team.

"But, if there's a player in a better position, I'm going to pass to him because the most important thing is the team and contributing to a victory.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"I think it's really important when the manager trusts you - but not just when you have the manager's trust, when you believe in yourself that translates into good, positive performances on the pitch.

"I was given my opportunity and I gave it my all, not just in the offensive side of my game but defensively as well.

"It wasn't just me, all the players had a great game and hopefully it will continue and we can get the wins on the table."

Goodison Park created a wall of noise for the derby - with the atmosphere widely regarded as the best it has been for a long time at Everton's home.

And Bernard has revealed just how crucial it was to the Blues players on the pitch, although they would have been even happier to reward that fantastic support with all three points.

"Without a doubt," the winger added when asked if the fans were crucial.

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"Goodison Park is amazing every game, but today was really something different given it was the Merseyside derby.

"I think they [the fans] did help us on the pitch, they gave us that little bit extra.

"I was really happy with the motivation that came from the stands and I think we need to be really grateful to them today for the result that we achieved.

"We're really happy with the performance, but we'd be even happier with the victory which would have been important, we really did want and chase that.

"But I think, given our performance on the pitch, we deserved the draw and it's important that we're putting points on the table again in the Premier League."