Brazil thumped El Salvador 5-0 last night and Everton forward Richarlison started and grabbed his first goals for his country.
The young Brazilian has been outstanding since joining Everton in the summer and continued his fine form in front of goal for his country.
Richarlison’s brace against the Central American opponents was probably the most noteworthy aspect of this friendly win.
As expected Richarlison played in a number nine role and excelled, winning the penalty for Brazil’s first goal before he scored twice himself, once in each half.
This experiment with him playing more centrally is one that Brazil might well persist with.
Brazil, given their wealth of attacking talent and quality, would have been expected to win this match comfortably.
But it is good to see Everton’s 21-year-old star continuing to show his goal scoring touch while he sits out the remainder of his Premier League suspension for that red card at Bournemouth.
That suspension includes this weekend’s next league match against West Ham at Goodison Park.
He is one of an increasingly lengthy list of players unavailable at the moment for Everton. And it looks like he will be joined by another key player, right-back Seamus Coleman.
As we reported yesterday Coleman picked up his injury playing for the Republic of Ireland against Wales at the weekend. It’s not known how long he might be out for.
Talking of injured players, the Telegraph are reporting Theo Walcott will also be missing for the West Ham game as he has not recovered from his rib injury suffered in the draw against Huddersfield.
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He is though hoping to be fit for the Arsenal game and to be able to play some part against his former club.
And on top of this Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also picked up an injury playing for England Under 21’s!
With Richarlison still suspended this is a major blow for the Blues. It means that Everton will start against West Ham with only one of their senior forwards fit and available, Cenk Tosun.
Still it gives young striker Ademola Lookman another chance to impress as he will surely start on Sunday and challenge for a starting place in the team.
However let’s hope that soon Everton’s early season spate of injuries and suspensions is over for the moment at least, and the club can start turning these draws into wins and begin climbing the Premier League table.