Toffees turn on the style as Lukaku runs riot

Everton 3 Newcastle 2

A tongue-in-cheek swipe at the Manchester United manager’s current struggles down the East Lancashire road filling the shoes of Alex Ferguson.

Or perhaps, more pertinently in this instance, an ode to Roberto Martinez for bringing — albeit early into his tenure — the kind of kind of spine-tingling attacking football Goodison Park yearned for during the pragmatic years of Moyes.

The Toffees are not the only unbeaten team in the Premier League after this victory, they are fast becoming one of the most exciting to watch, spearheaded by the prodigiously talented Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.

Lukaku’s display left Martinez purring his praises. “He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s technically gifted. At times he was unplayable,” said Martinez.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright boldly said on Martinez’s unveiling that the Spaniard could bring Champions League football to Goodison Park.

Comments which led to guffawing among supporters of the elite clubs given Martinez took Wigan down in his last job, albeit on the back of shock FA Cup win.

But some shrewd additions — most significantly that of Lukaku on loan from Chelsea — in the summer and a renewed approach has bred growing optimism that European football’s glamour competition is within reach in what is shaping up to be an increasingly open season.

Lukaku ran riot as he bullied and battered the Newcastle defence in the first half in much the same vein as former Blues hero Duncan Ferguson, now on Everton’s coaching staff.

Belgian star Lukaku said he had been relishing his opportunity to play at home for the Toffees. “I loved it. I was waiting a long time for it,” he said.

Quite what the Belgium powerhouse has to do to convince Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that he’s ready to lead the line at Stamford Bridge is a mystery. Mourinho need only watch a DVD of this game to see the manner in which the one-man wrecking ball demolished Newcastle’s backline.

For the time being, though, Chelsea’s temporary loss is very much Everton’s gain.

The Toffees began with the kind of swagger which reflected their sky high confidence and it came as little surprise to see them seize the lead early on.

Fabricio Coloccini challenged Lukaku for a high ball in midfield but rather than head it clear the curly-haired Newcastle captain nodded it to David Santon and Kevin Mirrallas stole possession.

The Belgium wideman streaked down the right touchline and his cross picked out the late run of compatriot Lukaku, who saw his low shot squirm under the body of Newcastle keeper Tim Krul.

Everton’s early dominance did not let up as the visitors were given no time to settle into a rhythm as the Blues showed the kind of intensity and aggression characterised by their best performances under Moyes.

But in addition to that grit and determination Martinez has installed intelligence, guile and finesse to a side who seem to have thrown off the shackles.

Lukaku, who was making his first start, combined with Barkley moments after the goal which allowed the 19-year-old a shooting opportunity which he whistled inches wide.

Inevitably it was not long before the pair made a telling impact again for Everton’s second as Lukaku threaded an exquisite through-ball for Barkley who drew Krul off the line and calmly slotted home.

Everton’s third goal shortly before the interval was somewhat out of kilter with their possession play as Lukaku chased a long punt from Howard.

Krul’s completely missed the ball on the bounce as he ventured off his line and Lukaku sold Coloccini a dummy before smashing the ball into an empty net.

Newcastle showed more heart after the break and Yoan Gouffran was unlucky not to score when he broke clear and chipped the ball over Everton keeper Tim Howard only to see his effort bounce back off the post.

Substitute Cabaye pulled one back with a 25-yard thunderbolt which gave Howard no chance as it nestled in the top corner of the net.

Everton were perhaps a touch to cavalierand were unlucky not to get caught on the break with Cabaye and Gouffran both threatening.

Martinez’s response? An attacking substitution with the introduction of fleet-footed Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu. It’s hard to imagine Moyes would have done that with his side 3-1 up and the opposition pressing.

The decision might have backfired and tense finish followed when Loic Remy stabbed home in the dying stages to reduce the deficit to one goal, but Everton deservedly hung on to claim maximum points.

Fascinating and exciting times lie ahead at Goodison Park.

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard (7); Coleman (8), Distin (6), Jagielka (7), Baines (7); Barry (8), Osman (6; 90); McCarthy (7), Barkley (8; 88) Mirallas (7; 73); Lukaku (9).

Everton subs: Deulofeu (7; 73), Naismith (6; 88), Stones (6; 90)

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Krul (4); Debuchy (5), Yanga-Mbiwa (5; 46), Coloccini (4), Santon (6); Anita (5; 69), Tiote (6), Sissoko (6); Gouffran (7), Remy (6), Ben Arfa (5; 46).

Newcastle subs: Williamson (6; 46), Cabaye (8; 46) Cisse (6; 69)

Referee: Phil Dowd