Joao Virginia eyes more opportunities during Everton's FA Cup run

The Portuguese put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 1-0 third-round replay victory over Crystal Palace with a string of good saves, with his interventions late on helping secure a home tie against Luton.

Virginia's four starts have all come in cup competitions, with his only other game as a Premier League substitute when Jordan Pickford was injured against Burnley in March 2021.

After spells at Sporting and Dutch side Cambuur the 24-year-old is now the recognised number two but he accepts his game time will be aligned to Everton's cup progress – and even that may not be enough if they reach the latter stages.

"I'm hoping to play the cup games but you never know and you just have to be ready," he said.

"I have to keep on going and train well and hopefully the manager will give me another chance for the next game.

"I really enjoyed it, my first time playing with fans at Goodison. Also it's been a while since I played here so it was a dream and the way it turned out and to keep a clean sheet was just fantastic.

"It's hard (being back-up). Jordan is a great goalkeeper and my mentality is always to be ready when something happens, when the manager gives you a chance, work hard every day in training and that's how you can be ready for performances like this."

Virginia had to make a decision in the summer whether to stay at the club but he believes his choice to remain, not even opting for a loan, has paid off.

"Obviously at the end of the season the club came to me and we sat together to make a decision on my future," he added.

"They gave me the opportunity to be the number two here at Everton. For me it was a step up because I've been away for two years and when I was here three years ago I was the number three so it was a great opportunity for me.

"I hoped to get some game time and it's turning out to be a great decision, to be fair."

READ MORE: Real Madrid's goalkeeper dilemma could be resolved with Andriy Lunin's rise