Charlie Nicholas claimed that Everton ace Yannick Bolasie looked “off the pace” on Saturday as he continued his return from a long-term injury with a cameo in the defeat against Bournemouth.
The 28-year-old was used as a second-half substitute and is being eased back into the action following his absence with a serious knee injury.
Sam Allardyce’s side suffered a 2-1 loss against the Cherries and means they remain ninth in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth were in front at half-time thanks to speedy attacker Ryan Fraser, but the visitors drew level in the second period through unlikely goalscorer Idrissa Gueye.
Eddie Howe’s team did manage to snatch the three points late on as Fraser’s deflected shot lifted them out of the drop zone.
Sky Sports pundit Nicholas feels that Bolasie will understandably need time to get back to his best and said that he struggled to make an impact in the final 20 minutes against Bournemouth.
“He got involved, he is a trickster. But he looks as if he is well off the pace and he is going to need more game time,” Nicholas said on TV programme Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (Saturday 5:30pm).
“He is going to have to sharpen up, but it was a difficult game for him. He looked as if was a yard off the pace, but at least he is back.”
OPINION
The Bournemouth clash was just Bolasie’s second game since his return from injury and he can’t be judged just yet as he spent the best part of a year on the sidelines. The electric winger can be a real boost for the Toffees moving forward as he regains his confidence and fitness, with the side crying out for someone with his pace and dynamism. Everton will be disappointed to lose away to lowly Bournemouth and it ended Allardyce’s unbeaten run in the process. They now have a quick turnaround as they face Manchester United on New Years Day, before facing Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup.