BBC pundit Joleon Lescott pleased for one Everton player, and praises Ronald Koeman’s decision

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Oumar Niasse was Everton’s hero against Bournemouth last weekend.

Former Everton defender and current pundit Joleon Lescott has told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day 2 Extra that he is pleased to see Oumar Niasse return to action.

The Toffees faced a huge game against Bournemouth last Saturday having been thrashed 3-0 by Tottenham and 4-0 by Manchester United in their previous two Premier League games.

Manager Ronald Koeman was coming under increasing pressure after a disappointing start to the season, and Josh King’s goal for Bournemouth threatened to hand Everton another defeat.

However, Everton did hit back late on as substitute Oumar Niasse not only equalised, but also scored the winning goal as the Toffees roared back to claim a 2-1 win.

The two-goal display continued Niasse’s quest for something like redemption at Goodison Park, having endured something of a wild ride at Goodison Park since his 2016 move from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Niasse failed to really get himself fit enough for Premier League action under Roberto Martinez, and was then frozen out by Koeman before being loaned out to Hull in January, where he scored five times in 19 games.

Joleon Lescott

The Senegal international was expected to leave this summer having not even been given a locker at training, but after a move to Crystal Palace fell through and Everton failed to sign a striker, they essentially need each other right now.

Now, former Everton defender and current pundit Joleon Lescott has told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day 2 Extra that he is happy to see Niasse impress after unfairly being excluded last season, but he did also praise Koeman for bringing him back into the fold.

“I’m pleased that he’s come back and scored two goals,” said Lescott. “Koeman said he potentially saved his job, but that doesn’t get the coverage it probably deserves; what did he do wrong last season to get his locker taken away, to get ostracised, what had he done that was that bad, for them to say that not only do they not want you, but you can’t train with us? There’s probably nothing he’s done, so fair play to him and to Ronald Koeman, as he’s brought him back in, and he’s repaid him,” he added.