Everton outcast Oumar Niasse produced a dazzling display for the U23s in a 6-3 victory over Reading on Monday.
The 26-year-old Senegal international signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January for then club record £13.5m, but he made just two starts - and failed to complete 90 minutes - in the five months before Roberto Martinez's exit in the summer.
And having been completely frozen out by new manager Ronald Koeman, he gave his employers food for thought by netting a first-half 21-minute hat-trick at Reading.
It was an all-round stunning performance from the visiting Toffees who came from two goals behind to seal the points and extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League 2 table.
Andrija Novakovich's double put the hosts in control early on, but Niasse swiftly turned the game on its head to edge David Unsworth's side in front at half-time.
Kieran Dowell, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Liam Walsh added to the scoresheet, leaving Thomas McIntyre to head in a late consolation for the hosts.
Niasse grabbed the headlines though and made it all the more pertinent having opened up last week on his emotional battle to impress at Goodison Park.
Niasse told The Guardian on October 11: "It's sad. And, to be honest, I think that I don't deserve this. But what I can do is just keep my head and fight to change things. I'm in the dressing-room with the U23s but I don't have a locker."
Niasse had offers over the summer from Germany, Spain, Portugal and Turkey but seems determined to turn his career in England around.