Everton are still the Premier League's lone undefeated team after thrashing Newcastle 3-2 at Goodison Park on Monday. The match was thought over at halftime thanks to Romelu Lukaku, who scored a pair and assisted on another in a dominating first half for the Toffees, and while the Magpies made a match of it late, it was not enough to derail Roberto Martinez's dream start in Merseyside.
Everton vs. Newcastle: Final score 3-2, Toffees remain unbeaten
Romelu Lukaku took center stage at Goodison Park.
Lukaku put Everton in front after just five minutes when Kevin Mirrallas’ blazing run down the right unlocked the Newcastle defense. With the visitors’ defense retreating and facing their goal, they failed to find Lukaku. That proved deadly, as Lukaku found space in front and when Mirralas put the ball right on his foot, the Belgian coolly gave his side the lead.
Ross Barkley doubled Everton's lead in the 25th minute, but it was because of Lukaku. The striker dropped deep to collect the ball and when Barkley ran ahead of him, Lukaku hit a perfectly weighted ball into his path. Barkley simply had to collect and then beat the goalkeeper, which he did for a 2-0 Toffees advantage.
Newcastle gifted Lukaku his second when they allowed Tim Howard’s long boot to bounce and find the on-fire striker. Lukaku quickly evaded one defender, leaving him two yards from a wide open goal. He emphatically slammed the ball into the back of the net and Everton were well on their way to victory, although it proved tougher than they imagined.
The introduction of Yohan Cabaye at halftime gave Newcastle a boost and he quickly got them back in the match with a sensation strike five minutes after the break. The Frenchman hit a bullet from 25 yards that found the upper corner and the Magpies were only 3-1 down.
Unfortunately for Newcastle, the goal didn’t result in a giant uptick in quality. Everton had a couple chances to restore their three-goal lead, but they couldn’t covert so the Magpies stayed alive. The Loic Remy did well to hold off a defender and poke the ball home in the 89th minute to put fear in the Goodison Park crowd, but that would be all Newcastle could muster. Everton and Lukaku’s monster first hald was enough, and the Toffees were still unbeaten.
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