EPL: Romelu Lukaku ends goal drought in style

Romelu Lukaku PicAFPSunderland Belgian international striker Romelu Lukakus longest goal drought in English football came to an end in dramatic fashion on Monday as a hattrick saw Everton defeat Sunderland 30 in their Premier League clash The 23yearold who hadnt scored for his club in 13 matches dating back to March scored all three in 11 minutes of the secondhalf to lift his side into third in the Premier League two points behind leaders Manchester CityI think it was all about fitness levels Im happy for the team Lukaku told Sky Sports I think I could have had five in the end I have to be more of a serial killer for the team to achieve their objective Whilst the victory meant Ronald Koeman became the first Everton manager since Thomas McIntosh in 1919 to win his first two competitive away games for former Everton handler David Moyes it was sheer miseryHis Sunderland side have garnered just a point from the first four matches and have begun a season with four winless games for the sixth consecutive year Koeman who arrived from Southampton in the summer was furious with the first half performance but said he had not been worried by Lukakus lack of goals as he is a great player I think we will be one of the teams that will fight for European football the Dutchman told Sky SportsThat is a realistic target If we play like we did in the first half we will be 13th or 14th The players are not stupid they know what they can do Moyes for his part said the new players he had brought in would take time to settle but that wasnt a good enough excuse for their performance I was really disappointed especially with the last 30 minutes said MoyesLukaku had the best chance of a frenetic firsthalf where both sides showed a willingness to attack but conjured up few opportunities The Belgian frontman though might have done better than heading it straight at young Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford the England Under21 international still reacting brilliantly to tip the thunderbolt header over the bar Koeman made one change at the break taking off an underperforming Ross Barkley and sending on Spanish winger Gerard DeulofeuSunderland were again on the back foot at the start of the secondhalf They lifted the pressure temporarily when central defender Lamine Kone scorer of a brace when the Black Cats trounced Everton 30 to ensure they remained in the Premier League in May rose above Phil Jagielka but Maarten Stekelenburg was equal to the task of saving his 52nd minute headerSunderland escaped a minute later when the lively Deulofeu broke free but his whizzing shot was blocked by Jack Rodwell only for the ball to work its way out to Seamus Coleman The Irish internationals cross shot sneaked across goal and although Lukaku got an outstretched boot to it it wasnt enough to direct it into the net the ball trickling wide of the postHowever he made no mistake on the hour mark as unmarked he headed Idrissa Gueyes cross past Pickford Deulofeu the inspiration behind the goal having won the ball midway in his own half from Wahbi Khazri and bringing it deep into Sunderland territory The outstanding Gueye then went close after Lukaku scuffed his shot before Lukaku saw the crossbar deny him a second in the 63rd minuteHowever he was not to be denied five minutes later as Yannick Bolasie found space down the left cut to the byline and crossed to an unmarked Lukaku who made no mistake with his header Two minutes on and Lukaku raced clear after being found by a superb sleightrule pass by Kevin Mirallas and the Belgian striker slotted it nonchalantly past Pickford for his hattrick