Ex-Everton manager Allardyce heaps praise on Richarlison after stunning goal

Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce believes Richarlison is turning into one of the Premier League’s best forwards after the Brazilian scored a stunning solo goal to help the Toffees beat Crystal Palace.

Bernard had given Carlo Ancelotti’s team the lead in the first half but Christian Benteke’s first goal since April brought the visitors level in the 51st minute.

And while Palace looked to be in the driving seat following their equaliser, a breakaway move saw Richarlison cut inside past Gary Cahill to bury a low finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ensured victory with a close-range effort two minutes from time but it was his Brazilian strike partner who caught the eye of the former Everton manager Allardyce.

Speaking after the game, the BT Sport pundit outlined the forward’s importance.

‘Richarlison is turning into one of the best players up front in the Premier League,’ he said.

‘We saw that by the goal he scored and the header he got for the second goal. That's a big relief because goals are going to make the difference in any team

‘I think Ancelotti is relieved at Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring goals and I'm disappointed he didn't get two today because that was an easy miss. I wanted him to score that goal to keep it going. It might not affect him because he's in good form.’

When asked where Everton should be looking to strengthen, Allardyce insisted the key was to bring in two or three ‘quality’ players.

‘The amount of money that's been spent into the team, shows you the ambition of the owners.

‘I don't think Carlo Ancelotti comes here with his reputation and his experience and is not going to ask in the summer for the right sort of players to be bought for the Everton future.

‘I did hear him say at the beginning that good players he can turn into great players, not go out and get them straight away.

‘So go and buy some good players and ultimately they may turn into very good players that can take this club from this stadium into the new stadium because it's no good having a brand new stadium with a poor team, it's got to be a very good one.

‘I think midfield he would want to strengthen, central defender as well and I think that if he gets the right players in the right positions then they get better and that only needs to be sometimes two or three quality players, not six or seven.’