 |
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku shoots against Newcastle. (AP-Yonhap News) |
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) ― Romelu Lukaku scored twice and set up the other goal to lead Everton to a 3-2 win over Newcastle on Monday, lifting the Premier League’s only unbeaten team to fourth in the standings.
The Belgium striker, who is on loan from Chelsea, shredded Newcastle’s flaky defense to score either side of a well-taken effort by exciting youngster Ross Barkley, giving Everton a 3-0 lead after 37 minutes.
Substitute Yohan Cabaye reduced the deficit with a stunning long-range strike in the 51st and Loic Remy’s 88th-minute goal ensured a nervy finish for Everton, but the damage had been done to Newcastle’s blundering defense in the first half.
Under new manager Roberto Martinez, Everton is proving to be one of the surprise packages of the season in England and is three points behind early leader Arsenal, and ahead of the likes of Chelsea and the Manchester clubs.
“It’s a good start, that’s all it is, but you can see the potential today,’’ Martinez said.
Newcastle’s first-half capitulation was similar to its opening-weekend 4-0 loss at Manchester City ― but at least the team had the excuse of playing with 10 men for most of that match.
Here, they were blown away from the first whistle by a lively and dynamic Everton team which appears to be growing in belief under Martinez, who replaced David Moyes during the offseason.
Martinez’s loan signing of Lukaku on transfer deadline day already seems to be a masterstroke, and a major oversight by Chelsea given the striker netted 17 times on loan at West Bromwich Albion last season. He has scored three times in two league games for Everton, while the three strikers in Chelsea’s squad ― Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba ― have yet to hit the target this season.
“At times he was unplayable,’’ Martinez said of Lukaku. “Today he looked a player enjoying his football and at home here.’’
After scoring on his debut nine days ago at West Ham, he took just five minutes to score against Newcastle by powerfully sidefooting a shot through goalkeeper Tim Krul’s grasp after being set up by Belgian teammate Kevin Mirallas.
