Substitute Oumar Niasse scored two late goals to earn Everton victory over Bournemouth in a controversial game which saw Wayne Rooney denied a penalty after being struck by Simon Francis’ elbow.
Rooney was angry with referee Martin Atkinson for not punishing Francis and made his feelings known as he went off for treatment with blood pouring from the cut.
Joshua King gave Bournemouth the lead early in the second half with a low 20-yard finish before Jordan Pickford denied Jermain Defoe from making it 2-0 at Goodison Park.
With Everton facing a fourth successive league defeat, Niasse hammered the equaliser from a ball by fellow substitute Tom Davies before hooking home the winner from close range.
A second Premier League win of the season was enough to lift Everton five places to 13th in the table, while Bournemouth remain 19th – one point from safety.
New Everton goal hero?
After going more than six and a half hours without a Premier League goal, Everton scored two in five minutes thanks to Senegal forward Niasse.
The 27-year-old scored four top-flight goals last season but was unable to save Hull City from relegation during a loan spell.
This was his first league appearance for Everton since May 2016 and he endeared himself to Blues fans after replacing a battered and bruised Rooney.
His first goal was a thumping finish which gave Asmir Begovic no chance while his second was a clever finish from close range after the Bournemouth keeper had kept out his initial header.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick in a crushing 6-3 win. Everton fans have been crying out for a new goalscoring hero since Lukaku’s summer move to Manchester United.
Niasse might just be the man.
BBC Sports