By Ben Sutherland BBC Sport

It has taken some time, but Jay-Jay Okocha is now showing the Premiership the class that has long seen him regarded as one of the most skilful midfielders in Europe.

Okocha (l) was dominant against Manchester United's midfield

The Nigerian, who moved on a free transfer from Paris Saint Germain to the Reebok after last summer's World Cup, had a frustrating start to his first spell in England, showing only flashes of genius.

But now he is finding form at just the right time.

The former Super Eagles captain was outstanding in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a game Bolton came very close to winning until a last-minute equaliser from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Okocha had a number of spectacular shots and was only denied a goal by the heroics of Fabien Barthez.

His partnership with former France star Youri Djorkaeff also finally seems to be bearing particularly ripe fruit.

The pair dominated the midfield, constantly taking on and beating the exalted likes of Roy Keane and Juan Sebastian Veron.

That Okocha has the class has never been in doubt.

But following Nigeria's awful World Cup, Okocha arrived in Bolton after protracted negotiations and suffered a poor start to his English career.

His Premiership debut was absolutely horrendous, as he got injured in a 4-1 drubbing to Fulham.

Fulham were 3-0 up by half time and Okocha was substituted at the break.

He did not play again for a month.

But in September Bolton manager Sam Allardyce leapt to Okocha's defence, pointing out that both Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp had needed time to adjust to the pace of the English game before being able to show their true qualities.

He predicted Okocha it would be six months before Okocha was fully established in Bolton's first team and showing his proper form.