rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Lukaku lifts Everton to fourth in EPL table
This article was first published 10 years ago

Lukaku lifts Everton to fourth in EPL table

October 01, 2013 12:38 IST

Image: Everton striker Romelu Lukaku (centre) celebrates after scoring the first goal against Newcastle United during their Premier League match at Goodison Park on Monday
Photographs: Stu Forster/Getty Images

A stunning first-half performance by striker Romelu Lukaku guided Everton to a 3-2 home victory over Newcastle on Monday to lift his side to fourth and maintain the Premier League's only unbeaten record.

The 20-year-old Belgian, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, scored twice, set up a goal for teenager Ross Barkley and also had two efforts disallowed for offside in the first 45 minutes.

Second-half goals by Yohan Cabaye after 51 minutes and Loic Remy a minute from time gave the visitors hope but they were largely outplayed.

"He (Lukaku) is strong, powerful and extremely knowledgeable. He is also very gifted and at times unplayable," Everton manager Roberto Martinez told Sky Sports.

Everton took a 3-0 lead in the first half

Image: Everton's Ross Barkley celebrates his goal against Newcastle United during their English Premier League match at Goodison Park on Monday
Photographs: Darren Staples/Reuters

Everton were ahead after five minutes when the pace of Kevin Mirallas on the right took him clear of the Newcastle cover and he crossed for Lukaku to side-foot home.

The striker made the second after 25 minutes when he burst from midfield and fed Barkley, the 19-year-old slipping the ball past two defenders and beyond goalkeeper Tim Krul from 18 metres.

It was 3-0 on 37 minutes as Everton's dominance continued.

A huge clearance by goalkeeper Tim Howard was allowed to bounce just outside the Newcastle area. Krul's mid-air swipe missed the ball and Lukaku beat a Fabricio Collocini challenge to score from close range.

Newcastle looked a renewed side in the second essay

Image: Newcastle player Loic Remy beats Phil Jagielka to score the second newcastle goal against Everton during their Premier League match at Goodison Park on Monday
Photographs: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Newcastle, overrun in the first half, looked a different side after the break and Yoan Gouffran hit a post before a superb 25-metre strike from Cabaye made it 3-1 six minutes after the restart. Remy's late goal made for a nervous finish.

The win took Everton four places up the table on 12 points from six games, three points behind leaders Arsenal. Newcastle stay 16th with seven.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.