Everton manager Sam Allardyce decided to start Oumar Niasse over January signing Cenk Tosun for the second week running heading into the Arsenal clash over the weekend.
The gamble did not pay off, the Toffees ended up losing 5-1 to the Gunners.
Niasse did not exactly put on a stellar display – to be fair nobody did. The 27-year-old did manage to hit the post but that was his sole shot.
More worryingly, the Senegal international has managed just two shots in his last two games.
It would be unfair to solely blame Niasse, he has not exactly been the recipient of world-class delivery. Right now any form of delivery would be welcomed.
Big Sam just has not got his attack to gel yet.
Niasse worked hard but limitations of his game were exposed. No other player had more unforced errors that Niasse (4) or was dispossessed more (2). Considering the slim pickings in terms of chances the average Everton striker gets per-game it is imperative for whoever the striker is to be clinical.
The former Akhisar man has only scored twice as a starter for Everton since joining the club in January 2016.
The 27-year-old has a better record an impact sub, netting 5 times and providing one assist.
See More: 3 Reasons Cenk Tosun Could End Up Being A Success At Everton
Tosun meanwhile had an excellent conversion record at Besiktas before joining Everton, scoring 46.67 percent in the Super Lig from clear opportunities.
The Super Lig and Premier League are completely different beasts. A better comparison would be his Champions League record, playing against the elite of Europe.
Tosun scored a goal every 112.5 minutes in the competition this season, converting four times for the Istanbul giants, scoring 55 percent of goals from clear opportunities.
The Turkey international actually performed better in the Champions League. His main focus was the European competition. A stage he could prove himself among the best. And that is exactly what he did.
Tosun netted with his left and right feet as well as his head and was registering three attempts at goal per-games.
Six of the Black Eagles 11 goals were either scored of assists by Tosun as they cruised for Group G as undefeated leaders – an unprecedented achievement for a Turkish side in the tournament.
The striker has proven a capable goal scorer provided with the right opportunities. The problem at Everton has been just that. A lack of chances.
Tosun has proven himself a big match player. Nobody expected Besiktas to qualify from a group with Monaco, Red Bull Leipzig and Porto but they did. And the striker played a major role in making that happen.
Additionally, he also scored in the recent derby clash against Galatasaray, which the Black Eagles won.
The forward has yet to open his scoring account or provide an assist but he is only two games into his Everton career. Third time luck for Tosun Pasha?
