Everton 2 Bournemouth 1 match highlights: Oumar Niasse nets late brace for Toffees after Josh King fired Cherries into second half lead
The substitute proved to be the hero for Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park as his double prevented his side from losing four consecutive Premier League matches
OUMAR NIASSE got Ronald Koeman off the hook with two late goals to earn Everton their first win in the Premier League since the opening day of the season.
Toffees boss Koeman has been left in a sticky situation after making a shocking start to the season, despite splashing £150million in the transfer window.
The Dutchman hoped to have turned a corner following their win in midweek over Sunderland in the League Cup.
But they came crashing back down to earth when Joshua King's fantastic 48th minute goal stunned Goodison Park.
However, Niasse, who came on as a 55th minute substitution for Wayne Rooney, first fired home in the 76th minute after latching on to a pass from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
He then doubled his tally in the 82nd minute when he reacted first after Tom Davies's effort looped off Steve Cook and he bundled home at the far post.
After a dull first half, Everton were left furious when Rooney was on the receiving end of a shocking elbow from Simon Francis, which left the Everton man with blood pouring from his eye-socket.
Rooney, who was making his 400th Premier League start, was playing with a bandage on his hand due to a sprained finger.
But he had something worse to worry about following a sickening challenge from Francis, that should have seen the Bournemouth man sent off.
Incredibly, the challenge went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson, who felt the full-force of Rooney's rage.
The home side also felt they should have had a penalty when Calvert-Lewin when down under a challenge from Nathan Ake.
STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS
- Wayne Rooney suffered a nasty gash in the 34th minute after being caught by a stray arm.
- Before today's match, Bournemouth failed to score in their two previous away fixtures.
- Josh King netted his first Premier League goal of the season, and his second in back-to-back matches after scoring against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
- Today's result for Everton is the fifth time they have beaten Bournemouth at home in a competitive fixture.
- Ronald Koeman's side stopped a run of losing a possible four Premier League games in a row.
- They haven't lost four consecutive matches since January 2015.
- It is also the first time they have scored in four top-flight fixtures.
- Oumar Niasse how now scored in back-to-back games after scoring against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup - three in his last two.
- Eddie Howe's side have only picked up 7 away points in 2017 out of a possible 36.
INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS - CLICK on a player's number to see their stats
WHAT SOCIAL SAID
WHAT THEY SAID
Everton boss Ronaldo Koeman said: "Calm after the game, yes. There were a lot of emotions.
“It was a difficult game, we did not create many chances and we took the right decision after 1-0 down to try something different - play two strikers and go more direct.
"More credit to the players - Niasse and Davies. They did a good job after a difficult time. The boys showed great character.
"He [Oumar Niasse] is bringing more aggression. We needed in the second half to have another striker close to Dominic to press a bit better than we did before.
“All the credit to Oumar Niasse, that is all about life. If you get your chance you need to take it. He took it on Wednesday and again today.
"It is a totally different world after winning. You have key moments during the season and this was a big win that will give everyone a boost."
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: "There were a lot of positives to take from the game.
“I thought we were the dominant team. It is frustrating from our perspective to come here and put that kind of performance in and not get anything.
“We had chances to kill the game but at 1-0 they always have a chance."