Rejuvenated Arouna Kone hits hat-trick for Everton against Sunderland

Everton 6 Sunderland 2<br>It felt entirely appropriate a team nicknamed the Black Cats crossed Arouna Kone’s path on the day he produced his best performance in an Everton shirt.

As the Ivorian walked off the pitch at Goodison Park with the match ball tucked under his arm, his hat-trick having helped vanquish Sunderland and triggered a contract extension, he might have cast his mind back to the start of the season.

Then he was a journeyman striker, past his sell by date, with just one goal in 17 Premier League appearances across an injury-stricken two seasons.