Saturday 21 November 2015 18:44, UK
Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley scored two goals apiece as Everton cruised to a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at Goodison Park.
Lukaku became the fifth player to score 50 Premier League goals before the age of 23, converting Seamus Coleman's cross with a difficult glancing header midway through the first half after Barkley had set the hosts on their way.
Barkley sealed a fine move to put his side 3-0 up at the break before Lukaku wrapped up the scoring to seal a win that lifts Everton to seventh, Villa cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League with just five points.
It was Retro Day at Goodison Park - supporters given traditional rattles - and Barkley's 17th-minute opener would certainly have delighted the famous Everton side of the 1980s.
Lukaku, John Stones, James McCarthy and Gerard Deulofeu all combined, Brad Guzan only able to parry into the path of Barkley, who converted with ease.
Ten minutes later Guzan pulled off a fine save to keep out Arouna Kone's shot but soon after he was beaten again as Deulofeu tried to play Lukaku in, Coleman's chip headed in by the Belgium striker in the 28th minute.
It had been a torrid half for Villa's defence but things turned embarrassing before the interval when Everton notched their third.
Lukaku and Barkley helped the ball through and Guzan's indecision combined with Kieran Richardson's weak clearance, Barkley slotting home from 10 yards three minutes before the break.
Villa briefly threatened after the restart, Tim Howard rushing out to make a decent save when Jordan Veretout tried to pounce on an under-hit back-pass by Ramiro Funes Mori and then pushing away a Richardson shot.
But Lukaku got his second just before the hour mark, latching onto Barkley's cushioned pass before coolly placing the ball beyond Guzan (59).
Lukaku might have grabbed his hat-trick but Guzan kept him at bay and also denied substitute Kevin Mirallas.
Charlie Nicholas' Soccer Saturday verdict
"What is Aston Villa's level? It's a big club, a massive club in my opinion, but as soon as it gets a decent player it has to sell and they need to replace with genuine quality. Veretout, Gueye, Sanchez, Gil... they've got to turn up and perform. It's going to be hard for Villa. I'm not taking anything away from Everton, though. They scored some absolutely fabulous team goals - quick passing and moving. We always say about Everton when they're good they can be really good."
Player ratings
Everton: Howard (6), Coleman (6), Stones (6), Funes Mori (6), Galloway (6), Barry (6), McCarthy (6), Deulofeu (8), Barkley (8), Kone (7), Lukaku (8).
Subs used: Gibson (4), Mirallas (5), Osman (4).
Aston Villa: Guzan (6), Hutton (5), Richards (5), Clark (5), Richardson (4), Gana (5), Westwood (5), Veretout (5), Gil (5), Grealish (5), Ayew (5).
Subs used: Sanchez (6), Gestede (5), N'Zogbia (3).
Man of the match: Gerard Deulofeu
