'Gibbs-White has the quality of a leader'

"When I was watching the first half we were talking together. Morgan was not in his best condition," said Pereira.

"In the first half the team didn't find him in the right timings, spaces and didn't find him in the way we wanted.

"I asked them [at half-time], 'let's go to prove our quality and spirit'.

"He went in his pocket. He has a lot of talent in his pocket, a lot of team spirit and character, and he leads the team. I have leaders inside the team. They proved together we never give up."

Gibbs-White's treble - the first time he has scored more than once in a game since 2022 - made him the joint highest English scorer in the Premier League this season, on 12 with Brighton's Danny Welbeck.

It was also a reminder to England manager Thomas Tuchel before the World Cup after Gibbs-White was left out of the 35-man squad last month for games with Japan and Uruguay.

Pereira said: "He deserves it because he has the quality of a leader.

"When things are not happening in the way we want, when the team is struggling, I know a lot of players in this moment they prefer to hide themselves.

"This is not for Morgan. He wants the ball, wants the responsibility and wants to score goals and assist.

"He is a fantastic player for us, not only technically and tactically but about character."

Read more on Gibbs-White's fine form