Late Oumar Niasse double helps Everton to dramatic comeback victory over Bournemouth

Former outcast Oumar Niasse was transformed into the comeback king with his first two Premier League goals for Everton as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1.

Twelve months ago the Senegal international was without a squad number, banished from the first-team dressing room and playing for the under-23s after manager Ronald Koeman decided on the basis of a 45-minute pre-season friendly appearance he was not up to the task.

But with Everton’s failure to sign an adequate for Romelu Lukaku in the summer Koeman was forced to eat humble pie and recall the striker, a £13.5million signing by Roberto Martinez in February 2016.

After scoring in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Sunderland, Niasse came off the bench on Saturday to score twice in the final 13 minutes and turn around a game heading the visitors’ way after Josh King’s goal early in the second half.

It capped a remarkable about turn in the fortunes of the 27-year-old, who last season was told to find a new club and trained with the u23s without complaint before going to Hull on loan where he scored five times in 19 appearances.

What they said

Tweet of the match

Star man – Oumar Niasse

The former forgotten man at Everton came off the bench to score twice and turn the result on its head. It was just reward for the Senegal international’s persistence and patience.

Data point

Niasse’s second-half substitute appearance was his first Premier League appearance for Everton since May 2016 after last season being told to find a new club and joining Hull on loan for six months.

In with the crowd

“He’s off to the pub, he’s off to the pub. He’s Wayne Rooney, he’s off to the pub”. Bournemouth fans taunt the Everton striker over this week’s drink-driving conviction when he is substituted in the second half.

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Who’s up next?

Everton v Apollon Limassol (Europa League, Thursday September 28)

Bournemouth v Leicester (Premier League, Saturday September 30)