Oumar Niasse says growing up playing football on the streets of Senegal has given him the never-say-die attitude that has made him a hit with Evertonians since his return to the side.

The forward, a February 2016 signing from Lokomotiv Moscow, has bagged four goals for the Blues since netting in a Carabao Cup game against Sunderland in mid-September in what was his first appearance for more than a year.

He later came off the bench to score twice as Everton came from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Goodison Park and was instrumental as the Blues overturned a two-goal deficit to record a dramatic 3-2 victory over Watford last time out.

With his side trailing to efforts from Richarlison and Christian Kabasele, Niasse reduced the deficit and then bullied the Hornets backline as a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header and Leighton Baines penalty turned the scoreline in Everton’s favour.

Niasse’s performance saw him named man of the match by fans on the Club’s official Twitter feed and also in the matchday lounges.

And the Dakar-born 27-year-old is convinced it’s his big heart - and trying to follow the example of players like Carlos Tevez - that has helped him win supporters over.

“When you are 16 they teach you how to control the ball and where to run, but I didn’t have that,” said Niasse. “I learnt how to play on the streets.

“But that helped me and it’s why I focus more on the players who can fight.

“I’m not someone who looks at players like [Dennis] Bergkamp or [Karim] Benzema and the way they play. That is more technical.

“I like Tevez. I used to look at him in the way he is fighting on the pitch.   

“Tevez is [technical] but he is more fighting, so that’s why I say I was just watching players like him all the time.

“It is helping me a lot. If the ball goes behind the defenders, some people may think it is going out but, me, I am running. One bounce can help me. My mentality is that I am always going to run. 

“It is helping me because the defender or goalkeeper think I am not going to be there, but I am not going to give up.”

Everton head to Crystal Palace on Saturday looking to build on the result against Watford and record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Victory could see them climb up from 15th in the table and Niasse is desperate to repay supporters for the backing they have given him.

“The fans, they love the Club, they love Everton,” he said. “And I think they gave me that love because they see me working hard and they love that kind of thing.

“Even if I am not the best player in terms of quality, on the pitch I am going to give 100 per cent, so I think that’s why they have taken to me.

“Everton is not a small club so that [a higher league position] is what we are looking for. With two or three wins, you are in a better position. It’s difficult but it’s not that dramatic.

“It is just about confidence and winning games, and keeping focused. The game against Palace will be very important and, if we win, we will go forward.

“I think at the end, the most important thing is getting the Club up the table as quickly as possible, for us and for the fans.”