EVERTON’S BLOOD, SWEAT & CHEERS
EVERTON have found a striker with a bloody good eye for goal.
After Wayne Rooney was left bloodied by a Bournemouth elbow to his left eye, Oumar Niasse proved the unlikeliest of heroes with a timely double to seal Everton’s first victory in four Premier League matches.
Rooney was caught by Simon Francis in the first half, and left the field twice for treatment.and after the Cherries’ Josh King had fired them in front, the fans at Goodison were ready to bay for blood – but then Niasse struck.
The Senegalese striker was relegated to the Under-23s by Ronald Koeman last season, not even given a locker at Everton’s training ground.
Koeman said: “Oumar was incredible. He hasn’t surprised me because I know him. Last season was a totally different situation, as we had Lukaku.
“But we did not sign a striker and that gave him a chance to be closer to the first team. He has qualities we need when struggling, which are aggression and direct play. He can create problems.”