While supporters might understand that Everton's match against Man City being postponed was good news in terms of player welfare, the stars themselves would likely disagree.
Ask any of the Blues squad, who were deep in their pre-match preparations by the time news filtered through that they would not be playing on Monday evening, and they will likely talk of their disappointment.
Deep down they will appreciate the rest that has come with this situation, but Premier League players all want to get out onto the pitch as much as possible - especially with the prospect of playing in front of some Everton fans.
One star who might be a little more disappointed than the rest, however, is Bernard.
In all likelihood, you would have expected Carlo Ancelotti to rotate his squad somewhat if the match against Man City had gone ahead, just 48 hours after his side's 1-0 win away to Sheffield United on Boxing Day.
But, even if that hadn't been the case, there was still a question to be answered on who would start on the left flank in the absence of Richarlison.
Anthony Gordon was given his first Premier League start of the campaign at Bramall Lane but struggled as the hosts frustrated Everton for large periods of the match.
Bernard was introduced in the 55th minute of the match and instantly got to work in showing the manager exactly what he can do.
The Brazilian had more touches of the ball than the youngster he replaced despite playing less minutes and looked more threatening as the Blues tried to break down the resolute defence of Chris Wilder's squad.
Of course, the 28-year-old also played a huge part in the only goal of the game, bringing the ball down in the box and giving it to Abdoulaye Doucoure, before the midfielder laid it off for Gylfi Sigurdsson to steer home.
The awareness and the skill to control the ball under pressure high up the pitch was the perfect example of the qualities the winger can bring to the side.
So, with Man City ready to visit Goodison on Monday, you would have perhaps expected Bernard to be in the line-up from the start this time around - with Richarlison continuing to following concussion protocols after his collision with Eric Bailly.
This would have been another chance for the winger to stake a claim for more regular minutes, as he has been restricted to just five Premier League appearances so far this season.
The 28-year-old could have taken a fair amount of confidence from his display off the bench on Boxing Night too.
Against a tough opponent, who themselves may have been forced into some sort of rotation thanks to the close proximity of matches, the opportunity would have been there for Bernard to put on a show in front of the Blues fans at Goodison.
He was given a similar chance, albeit with no fans in attendance, against Manchester United earlier in the term and rewarded Ancelotti's faith with a goal and strong performance.
But, instead of perhaps recreating that feat, Bernard was left to head home with the rest of the squad after the postponement of the game.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian, a chance as promising as that might not be forthcoming again in the near future.
Everton's next match will now come against West Ham United at Goodison Park on New Year's Day, when Richarlison will be in contention once more.
You would expect the Brazil international to start that match, leaving his fellow countryman to settle for a place on the bench on that occasion.
Of course, there is an FA Cup fixture against Rotherham United for the Blues to navigate on January 9th and you might expect some rotation for that match.
But playing against a Championship side doesn't present the same challenge as it does for a potential meeting with Pep Guardiola's side.
Bernard is not the only player in this position. There will have been a good few players across the fringes of the Everton squad who might have been told they were starting on Monday night, only to be left disappointed.
Given the winger's performance against Sheffield United, however, he will rue the fact that he couldn't take that momentum into an important game against a big opponent.
He will have to be ready when a chance next falls his way.
