Everton vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,592.
Monday 13 March 2017 10:10, UK
Romelu Lukaku scored his 19th Premier League goal of the season as Everton comfortably beat West Brom 3-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The striker, who spent a season on loan at Albion earlier in his career, had a hand in Everton's first two goals, helping to set up Kevin Mirallas' opener (39) before assisting Morgan Schneiderlin's strike on the stroke of half-time.
Lukaku's header in the 82nd minute sealed the victory and puts him level with Tottenham forward Harry Kane at the top of the league's scoring chart.
His tally of 19 league goals also marks the Belgium international's best return in a single campaign.
The victory consolidates Everton's position in seventh, extending their lead over eighth-place West Brom to seven points.
The Toffees are now two points behind Manchester United in sixth albeit having played two games more than Jose Mourinho's side.
Tony Pulis, taking charge of his 300th Premier League game, made three changes from the 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace, while Everton made two alterations from their 3-2 loss at Tottenham.
The hosts initially struggled to break down a stubborn Baggies defence, with Lukaku going closest before Mirallas opened the scoring.
The former Chelsea striker dragged an early effort wide and also nodded past the post, but played his part when Everton did break the deadlock six minutes before half-time.
His pass fortuitously picked out Ross Barkley and when Ben Foster failed to hold the England international's shot, Mirallas was on hand to finish from close range.
Ronald Koeman's side doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through Schneiderlin, who neatly lifted the ball over Foster after good work by Lukaku.
It was the Frenchman's first top-flight goal for Everton and his first in the Premier League since he scored for Manchester United at Goodison Park 511 days ago.
Joel Robles kept out a firm strike by Nacer Chadli shortly after half-time but West Brom, who started Hal Robson-Kanu up front ahead of Salomon Rondon, failed to seriously trouble Everton's defence despite the withdrawal of Leighton Baines at the interval.
The visitors were restricted to just two shots on target and conceded a third goal eight minutes from time when Barkley teed up an unmarked Lukaku to nod past Foster.
Substitute Idrissa Gueye hit the post in stoppage time as Everton cruised to their fifth consecutive home win.
Player ratings
Everton: Robles (7), Coleman (7), Baines (6), Jagielka (7), Williams (7), Schneiderlin (8), Davies (7), Barry (7), Mirallas (8), Barkley (8), Lukaku (8)
Subs used: Gueye (7), Funes Mori (7), Calvert-Lewin (6)
West Brom: Foster (6), Dawson (6), McAuley (6), Evans (6), Nyom (6), Livermore (5), Chadli (6), Fletcher (5), Yacob (5), McClean (5), Robson-Kanu (5)
Subs used: Rondon (6), Brunt (6), Morrison (6)
Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku
