"Credit to the players, our performance was back to the normal levels.

"When you are winning the confidence can return. We knew they were strong and would compete hard for second balls."

Asked if this victory could provide a turning point after his position had come under scrutiny following a run of five defeats in six games in all competitions, Silva replied: "We hope so.

"We have been missing some consistency as a team and have lost confidence.

"We have been up and down many times. One of the things I want is more consistency.

Everton host title-chasing Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, and Silva said: "We now have a special match for our fans and hope to give them a good feeling.

"Sunday is a really important game. But it will be a different game in front of our fans and we expect a fantastic atmosphere."

Sigurdsson's brace saw him become the highest-scoring Icelandic player in Premier League history.

The 29-year-old has now scored 57 Premier League goals, two more than former Bolton and Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen.

"You are all seeing a different Gylfi this season," Silva said after Sigurdsson had taken his league goals tally for the season to 11.

"Every single day he gives everything for the team.

"When he can score and assist it improves his confidence. He plays with a little more freedom and links more."

Cardiff will drop into the bottom three on Wednesday should Southampton pick up at least a point against Fulham.

The Bluebirds head to Wolves on Saturday having conceded eight goals in successive home defeats to Watford and Everton, but boss Neil Warnock remains defiant about their survival chances.

"We will probably be in the bottom three when we go to Wolves and people will be writing us off," Warnock said.

"I know my team for the Wolves game and I want people who will be in the trenches because I was let down by two or three tonight.

"I'm not going to throw the towel in and now is the time to stand up and be counted.

"We will not go down without a fight. But we're running out of games now.

"We've got 10 games left and we have to make our own luck."

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