It has been an interesting first season for El Hadji Malick Diouf at West Ham.

This season has been very difficult for every player at West Ham, but the 21-year-old has generally impressed since his move from Slavia Prague.

Diouf had big boots to fill following the departure of Emerson in the summer. From the outset, it was clear that he was going to be a very different type of player to the UEFA Conference League winner.

He is young, pacy and has a wonderful flair for crossing. But he lacks a little bit of maturity in his game, and his defending sometimes appears suspect.

And whilst neutrals have lauded the Senegalese international with praise, West Ham fans who watch him every game know that he still has some way to go.

In fact, over the last few games, Diouf has often frustrated me. He has appeared slightly chaotic on the ball, he hasn’t been as solid defensively as his backline partners, and even his crossing has been less impressive.

More accurately, he hasn’t been able to get good crosses in as frequently as he was, as he often takes too long to set up or takes a loose touch.

Then Saturday’s game against Everton came around. Those flaws were still present in Diouf’s game, and once again they were irritating me in this tense encounter. It also probably hasn’t helped that Konstantinos Mavropanos, Axel Disasi and Kyle Walker-Peters have been so good recently.

However, despite a shaky first half, Diouf improved after the break, and in stoppage time, he showed why he is worth having in the team. His cross to Jarrod Bowen, which set up Callum Wilson’s winner, was sublime.

To put in a cross of that quality at such a crucial time in the game – and in the season – was mightily impressive. And while the plaudits will go to Bowen and Wilson, Diouf played a huge role in the Irons’ victory.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that Diouf is still just a young lad playing his first season of Premier League football. He initially set the bar high for himself. Now, when he displays even the slightest fault, he is scrutinised – by me and others.

It’s a trap that many West Ham players fall into – Jarrod Bowen, Tomáš Souček, Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Players of real quality that supporters constantly demand high performances from.

Diouf finds himself in that calibre now, which is a testament to how well he has actually played this season. He still has room for improvement, but at 21, he looks a very promising talent towards the end of his debut season in East London.