Season › 2017-18 › News Sigurdsson thrilled with debut bolt from the blue Lyndon Lloyd Friday, 25 August, 2017 76comments | Jump to most recent Gylfi Sigurdsson says it was "fantastic" to score his first Everton goal and particularly in such important circumstances as he helped tip the Europa League qualifier against Hajduk Split back in the Blues' favour. The Croatian side had their tails up at the start of the second half having halved the aggregate deficit two minutes before the break through Josip Radosevic's 30-yard rocket that swerved past Jordan Pickford. Their home faithful were silenced just seconds after the restart when Sigurdsson, making his full Everton debut, beat goalkeeper Dante Stipica with an audacious shot from almost 50 yards. His goal took the wind out of Hajduk's sails and their exit was virtually sealed when Jordan Pickford saved Ahmed Said's penalty. “Personally, it was fantastic to get my first goal for the club — and in a fantastic stadium and fantastic atmosphere as well,” Sigurdsson told evertontv. “I probably did not expect to score from there. But I managed to get a touch on the ball — it was sitting up quite nicely and I thought to myself, ‘the keeper is probably not on his line'… so I decided to go for it and, thankfully, it beat the keeper and hit the target. “We are going home happy, which is the main thing. The most important thing was to get the result and be in the hat for the draw.” Having only played the last half hour or so at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, Sigurdsson probably wasn't expecting to play the entire game but his manager eventually kept him on the field until the end. His protracted move from Swansea City meant that the 27-year-old missed almost all of pre-season and he is now in catch-up mode as the season gets going. "It was my first start since pre-season and my first 90 minutes," Sigurdsson continued. "I am a bit tired but I really enjoyed it. It was a good night for me personally and for the team. “The manager kept saying to me, ‘10 more minutes, 10 more minutes'. He must have said it three or four times. Then I looked at the clock and it said 85 minutes. But at the end he said, ‘you needed the minutes'! “But the last 10 minutes wasn't too difficult, we were keeping the ball really well and making them chase it. It was pleasing for me to get through it, get 90 minutes under my belt and get the goal as well. “It was a great night of football, the home and away fans were terrific. These are the kind of nights you want to be involved in, in big stadiums, with great fans.” Reader Comments (76) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Eugene Kearney 1 Posted 25/08/2017 at 06:25:00 Welcome Mr Sigurdsson - and thanks for a very special goal. A goal worth £1,000,000 per yard !!! ;-) Daniel Lim 2 Posted 25/08/2017 at 06:29:15 This is on BBC."The Toffees registered more shots on target in the opening 14 seconds of the second half than they did in the entire first half."Why such sarcasm? Alastair Donaldson 3 Posted 25/08/2017 at 06:34:50 Woke up on a high this morning...what a goal. On a par with Wazza's 1st against Arsenal, Ibra vs England, Beckham v Palace... one in a million.He deserves his own song for that, got to be Bowie.."There's a Starman waiting in the sky, he'd like to come and meet us but he thinks he'd blow our minds . let the children boogie"Thanks Siggy. John G Davies 4 Posted 25/08/2017 at 06:41:03 Takes a special player to even think about doing that. Then the speed of thought, the evaluation of where he was on the pitch in relation to the goal, and the execution is something else. He also didn't look at the goal before he shot. James Owen 5 Posted 25/08/2017 at 06:49:34 Pickford certainly looking like the best keeper we've had since Neville Southall. Not only is he pull off ridiculous saves but he always seems to have the awareness to deflect the ball to safety, and he is also great with his feet and can pick people out with pinpoint accuracy. Also noticed how he gives the defense a rollicking when they are sleeping/ball-watching..which happened a few times tonight. As big Nev said, a keeper like young Pickford is worth 12 points a season, and he has showed that in first 3 games. Only thing I could fault him on was he started to move before the penalty was taken, so technically it should have been retaken!BTW, why is Big Nev 'persona non grata' at Goodison. As far as I've ever heard him, when he's interviewed, all he ever wants is for Everton to be pushing to be the best. Thought that's what 'Nil satis nisi optimum' meant. Brian Porter 6 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:02:08 I had just settled down to watch the second half and was barely 'switched on' when he struck the ball and next thing I realised was the ball going into the net. My first reaction was. "What was that?" My second was a stunned silence and my third as they showed the replay was to laugh out loud at the sheer impudence and brilliance of the execution of the shot. A definite contender for goal of the season already! James Watts 7 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:09:41 Daniel #2. Don't take it to heart. It was true after all. We might have controlled the game to an extent but did very little to trouble their keeper, especially up to that point. Martin Nicholls 8 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:52:36 Alasdair#3 - I'd say that goal was much better than Beckham's as he had a lot more to do even before he struck the shot. Graham Coldron 9 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:59:07 Daniel, the BBC"s sarcasm by our relationship with the media and goes back to when motd started where Harry Catterick did not want the Bbc at Goodison -Factor in the City of Liverpools inherent mistrust of the establishment in general it's no surprise how we are viewed by the BBC. Expect nothing else.. Graham Coldron 10 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:59:07 Daniel, the BBC"s sarcasm by our relationship with the media and goes back to when motd started where Harry Catterick did not want the Bbc at Goodison -Factor in the City of Liverpools inherent mistrust of the establishment in general it's no surprise how we are viewed by the BBC. Expect nothing else.. Graham Coldron 11 Posted 25/08/2017 at 07:59:07 Daniel, the BBC's sarcasm by our relationship with the media and goes back to when MotD started where Harry Catterick did not want the BBC at Goodison. Factor in the City of Liverpool's inherent mistrust of the establishment in general, it's no surprise how we are viewed by the BBC. Expect nothing else.. Dermot Byrne 12 Posted 25/08/2017 at 08:10:15 Stretching it a bit there Graham. Even the youngest BBC employee then would be 15 years into their retirement now. In the end the comment from BBC isn't that far wrong. We should try and develop confidence in ourselves without needing some your hack writing on the BBC website to tell us how good we are. We are sensitive souls a present. John Hoggarth 13 Posted 25/08/2017 at 08:33:37 Too sensitive Daniel? You've taken one "fact" out of a long list. The others were complimentary. I thought the one you picked out was tongue in cheek and quite funny. Stan Schofield 14 Posted 25/08/2017 at 08:41:02 Great goal, absolutely stunning vision and opportunism from Sigurdsson. Regarding the BBC and the media in general, the reporting on Everton under Moshiri is increasing steadily in quantity and quality, and any sarcasm will no doubt decrease in proportion to our success. Joe Clitherow 15 Posted 25/08/2017 at 08:48:05 Putting that specific comment in post 2 to one side - it probably is factually correct anyway - surely there is anti-Everton bias due to the huge number of RS 'supporters'/sympathisers within the BBC?That's absolutely a fact too, and they can't help themselves a lot of the time.I'm only listening to Matt Dawson and Cornelius Lysaght from now on. And at least Farmer Michael is a huge Everton fan!! James Hughes 16 Posted 25/08/2017 at 09:03:12 Looking forward to the draw at midday, I see we are in pot 2. Pot 1 has teams like Milan, Villareal, Lyon so we could get some tough opposition in the group stages. These draws can be a slow and painful affair but I think I will tune in anyway. COYB Daniel Lim 17 Posted 25/08/2017 at 09:04:14 Of course I was sensitive, it's about Everton. If it's referring to the RS, I would also put that into one of the threads and add an "LOL" at the end of my post. But I wouldn't usually click into a story of RS unless it's related to them being ousted in a tournament or losing that match. LOL.Graham #9, #10, #11. It's loud and clear. James Watts 18 Posted 25/08/2017 at 09:07:13 James #16. I can tell you the draw now, as it's Everton. It will be, Milan, Hoffenheim & (pick the team who is furthest/most difficult place to travel to in this pot). Nailed on. Colin Glassar 19 Posted 25/08/2017 at 09:26:28 Is it on the telly James? If so, what channel? I hope we get Villarreal. James Hughes 20 Posted 25/08/2017 at 09:37:50 Colin it's on BT sport 1 and James W is right hoffenheim are in pot 3 so that is possible ! Graham Coldron 21 Posted 25/08/2017 at 10:16:22 Dermot, I accept your point about being sensitive but to be honest I cannot help it as regards anything concerning the media and Everton.What does not help is the seemingly never ending plethora of ex red Shiite pundits on the telly even going back to Lawrenson and Hansen on motd a few years ago - Anyway rant over and finally it looks like things are on the up for this great club of ours . Robin Bateman 22 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:26:34 Apparently "it's safe to say that [Split] legitimately outplayed this Premier League team"LOL Really??Link Trevor Powell 23 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:29:25 Even more miles better than show pony Beckham's effort especially when context of the game is added! Siggy's was in a pressure situation in a match while beckham had the freedom of his team coasting to an away win. If he had tried that and missed Fergy would have had a roman candle up beckham's rectum! Denis Richardson 24 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:34:52 Only one word to describe that goal - Ridiculous. Actually laughed out loud in disbelief a second or two after it sailed in. What a way to make your full debut.Welcome indeed Mr Sigurdsson! That goal's got us 6 more games in the EL this season and about an extra ٣m in overall revenue (EL prize, match day receipts etc), so he's cost us 㿏m net so far:-).Can't wait till this guy is fully match fit. Proper quality passer in the midfield. Simon Jones 25 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:40:05 It was one of those goals you see go in and for a moment you aren't sure what's happened. The bewilderment turns to joy, the joy to amazement when it starts to sink in, yep, he really did just do THAT! Rick Pattinson 26 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:50:51 Klaassen was terrible again oh wait .he wasn't playing...sorry just used to saying it now.. Well done siggy.well done boys job done. Mike Kennedy 27 Posted 25/08/2017 at 11:59:37 Draw soon, and sad as I am, I will be watching even though it is 5am here in Costa Rica (on my hols).I just want to avoid the forms Soviet Block and Turkish opposition. Colin Glassar 28 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:00:59 No live forum for the draw? James Hughes 29 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:05:03 Mike I am not sure if you are dedicated or daft. Up at 5.00 am to watch the draw, wow. Mike Andrews 30 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:05:33 Does anyone know if the same rule about no teams from the same country, in the same group, apply like the CL? Colin Glassar 31 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:08:44 Yeah Mike, we avoid each other until last 16 Jamie Evans 32 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:09:50 Crap that Sigurdsson. Not worth the money, etc, etc. Welcome Gylfi. Thank you for a truly special and memorable moment. James Hughes 33 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:10:25 God that host is annoying !! Colin Glassar 34 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:11:28 CL draw gets a great looking bird to host, EL gets a Paul Hollywood lookalike. Terence Leong 35 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:20:34 Incredible vision, technique and confidence (audacity) for the goal.We need more of that, to help us make the step up to changing the tone of any game we are involved in. Mike Andrews 36 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:21:07 Thanks Colin. James Hughes 37 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:24:43 Lyon so far, not too bad Colin Glassar 38 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:25:38 I wanted Milan Brian Williams 39 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:25:43 Is it 2 from each group to go through? Colin Glassar 40 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:26:42 Top 2 brian go through Brian Williams 41 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:27:09 Cheers Col. Tommy Meehan 42 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:27:23 Top two from each group, Brian and 8 dropping in from CL for the last 32 Brian Williams 43 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:28:07 Thnx Tommy Brian Williams 44 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:28:33 Atalanta Colin Glassar 45 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:28:45 Great draw so far. Some nice places to visit and not too far away James Marshall 46 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:29:05 Yes Brian, top 2 qualify from each group so that's 24 teams plus the 8 third place teams from the CL drop into the second round Shane Corcoran 47 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:29:55 Bergamo right beside Milan I think Colin. Brian Williams 48 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:30:25 Atalanta, 4th in Serie A last season. James Hughes 49 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:30:38 Rob Halligan is going to be made up :) Bergamo is great and so is Lyon Shane Corcoran 50 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:30:51 Why did Bilbao not get a team from Pot 2? Jay Wood 51 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:31:27 Everton drawn with Lyon so far.They will be well up for this competition: the final is going to be played in Lyon. Mike Kennedy 52 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:31:35 Difficult draw. We won't get to rest players Colin Glassar 53 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:31:37 Beautiful part of Italy and great food in Lyons James Hughes 54 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:31:38 beginning to like this host now, he has mentioned us every round Brian Williams 55 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:32:19 Two 4th placed teams in their own leagues so far. James Marshall 56 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:32:47 Tough group - nobody will want us, as much as anyone in the competition. I don't believe we have anyone to fear, and glad we have good teams in our group - makes it more interesting & exciting. Colin Glassar 57 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:35:09 Great draw , great places to visit James Hughes 58 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:35:24 Rob gets to go to Cyprus as well !! Brian Williams 59 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:35:24 Some sunny trips comin up lol. Cyprus now. James Marshall 60 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:37:19 And we get to go to Lyon twice! Jay Wood 61 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:37:32 Atalanta a yo-yo club between Italy's top 2 divisions in recent years.Let's have another team close to home to reduce travel time. James Marshall 62 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:39:33 Jay, Atalanta have been in Serie A for 6 years so not quite a yo-yo club. Steve Brown 63 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:40:01 Gone all Judith Chalmers with that draw - lovely places to visit Brian Williams 64 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:40:12 Yeh James. Pick our seat for the final when we play em in the group. Brent Stephens 65 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:40:33 James, nice optimism. James Hughes 66 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:41:40 Longest trip is to Cyprus which is not a chore. biggest threat is Lyon in our group. Not our concern but the gunners have some travelling to do, let's overtake them in the PL Jay Wood 67 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:42:19 And Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.That's a very good draw, in all aspectsYou'd expect Everton to qualify with Lyon from that group. Jay Wood 68 Posted 25/08/2017 at 12:45:47 James @ 62.And relegated 3 times and promoted 3 times in the 8 seasons previous to that.That's yo-yo. Gerard McKean 69 Posted 25/08/2017 at 16:02:33 James (#5), to answer your question; Neville Southall explains it himself when talking about the self-serving cartel that runs EFC in Simon Hart's excellent book, 'Here We Go": "I speak too much. If I don't agree with you I'll say I don't agree with you, but they don't want that."The primary motivation of most of the people at the top of our club is self-enrichment. This can be achieved in the modern game without the inconvenience of striving to win cups and championships – and people like Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe and Derek Mountfield, with their uncompromising commitment to NSNO, are an unwelcome distraction to some of the hierarchy at Goodison.I once had to sit in on a meeting between Neville and a member of the self-styled senior executive team who was concerned that Southall might be a bit rough – "He was a binman, wasn't he?" "I don't know," I replied, "but I do know he was the best goalkeeper that I ever saw." For the record, Neville is a gentleman and he made his points in that meeting articulately and with a sense of purpose that the senior executive just could not match. Dave Speed 70 Posted 25/08/2017 at 16:33:03 I said to my lad at half time that Siggy should be rested for Chelski as he would be tired and could be a liability. Then I watched him make the interception and I said that might cause him a groin problem, then he wellied it and I said as the ball was flying that maybe he should have "GOOOOAAALLLLLL!". As I was saying son, Siggy needs the minutes and should stay on. Bill Gienapp 71 Posted 25/08/2017 at 18:51:58 While Sigurdsson won't be doing THAT week in and week out, it is a reminder of why you need top players in your side - guys who can conjure those moments of individual brilliance, even when the team isn't playing at its best. Split had all this momentum and belief coming out of halftime and boom - Gylfi ended it, just like that. It's something that Lukaku and Barkley really didn't do enough the past couple years, IMO. Paul A Smith 72 Posted 25/08/2017 at 20:26:49 How intelligent does he sound with them few words about his debut? He didn't miss a detail about the circumstances of the game and also gave a hint of the type of things he likes to face. Great to read. Great to know a player loves his job and sounds bang up for it. Paul A Smith 73 Posted 25/08/2017 at 20:28:39 I hope Lyon are a different animal without Lacazette because last season they were very good in the Europa League. Showed great bottle at Besiktas. Brian Wilkinson 74 Posted 26/08/2017 at 01:12:25 Rooney and Siggi looked good together, these two are going to form one hell of a partnership when they start to gel even more. Jack Convery 75 Posted 26/08/2017 at 11:13:51 It was a ridiculous goal and they are the best goals. It reminded me of the goal the ex Spurs player scored against Arsenal in a Euro Cup Final - can't remember his name - done on pure instinct. Siggys goal was the best I've seen since Rooneys V Arsenal, Sheedys freekick against Ipswich in the Cup ( Which he did twice ) and 2 goals Sharpy scored, the one at Anfield and the angled volley at Goodison (Park End ), which may have been against Spurs. A very special moment has been provided by Siggy and thats what I want footballers to do, especially when they wear The Royal Blue Jersey. I'm glad he's on our side and what a great interview too. Paul Hughes 76 Posted 26/08/2017 at 13:42:48 Jack (75). "Nayim from the halfway line". Sung to the tune of 'Go West' Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads