© Provided by Daily MailMailOnline logo
Gylfi Sigurdsson admitted Everton's nine-goal thriller against Tottenham in the FA Cup would have been far more enjoyable watching from home than it was to be out on the pitch at Goodison Park.
Carlo Ancelotti's side edged a cup epic on Wednesday night when Bernard connected to Sigurdsson's chipped pass in extra-time to score the winner.
Fans watching at home were left in disbelief at the level of drama provided by both sides and while Sigurdsson could understand the appeal to supporters, he was less pleased with how the night played itself out.
© Provided by Daily MailGylfi Sigurdsson felt the game 'was too open' despite Everton prevailing in a 5-4 victory
© Provided by Daily MailIt was Sigurdsson's pass in extra-time that was met by Bernard and he netted the winner
'It was too open ended, too many goals,' he told BT Sport.
'Probably good to watch at home but it was fantastic to come back. We conceded three goals from corners/set pieces which is something we need to work on. But the spirit in the team to come back and eventually go through is fantastic.
'I think we were better in the first 20-30 minutes and after our goal we came out a bit and had a 3-1 lead. Obviously we lost that but we had good spirit.
'I can imagine it was fantastic to sit at home and watch the game but for our liking it was too open - but it was a fantastic cup game and great to still be in the competition.'
© Provided by Daily MailTottenham opened the scoring but soon lost their momentum on a crazy night of goals
© Provided by Daily MailEverton rallied to hit three without reply after making a shaky start to the game at Goodison
Sigurdsson was sublime on the night and his pass for Bernard tallied up three assists on the night from Everton's five goals.
Gallery: Newcastle Player Ratings: Crystal Palace (H) (Read Sport)
The Iceland international had previously teed up Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
It was a 'special' fixture for Sigurdsson as he came up against his former side.
'It's always special for me to play Tottenham, I love the club, love the players and staff here and it's nice to see everyone here again,' he added.
'But most importantly we're still in the competition.'
Everton progressed to join Bournemouth, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United and Sheffield United in the last-eight. Wolves face Southampton and Barnsley host Chelsea in Thursday night's fifth round games.
© Provided by Daily MailTottenham boss Jose Mourinho was left gobsmacked at the end as his side exited the FA Cup
It was Tottenham who started the brighter with Davinson Sanchez netting his first of two goals on the night after three minutes.
The Colombian defender rose highest to head in from a corner to give the visitors an early advantage but that was just the opening act of an incredibly dramatic 120 minutes.
Calvert-Lewin, who later found himself forced off with injury, made it 1-1 nine minutes before half-time.
The England international's fierce shot was straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but he made a hash of it to palm it into his own net.
Within seven minutes of the equaliser Everton found themselves 3-1 up when Richarlison saw his strike quickly followed by a Sigurdsson penalty.
The goals continued to rain down on Merseyside before the break as Erik Lamela scored in the closing seconds of the half to reduce the deficit for Tottenham to 3-2.
© Provided by Daily MailDavinson Sanchez was a danger from set pieces and scored two of Tottenham's four goals
© Provided by Daily MailSigurdsson got a goal of his own just before half-time as he converted from the penalty spot
Tottenham dragged themselves back into the game just before the hour when Sanchez again caused havoc at a corner and comparisons were being drawn to basketball where teams go from end-to-end to score.
Richarlison got a second of his own to make it 4-3 with 22 minutes remaining but the drama was to roll on as Harry Kane, introduced by Mourinho from the bench in the second half, netting with three minutes left to force extra-time.
With tired legs and tired minds beginning to show themselves in extra-time it was Sigurdsson's sharpness that remained despite a long encounter as his genius picked out Bernard for what proved to be the winner.
Read more