Lukaku imperious in Goodison goalfest

Barry – Outstanding so far
McCarthy – Very good as well
Schneiderlin – Class
Davies– Maybe our best player over the last four games
Gueye – Definitely our best player over the 20 before that...

Funes Mori has been dreadful, jumped under several balls, headed at least one straight up in the penalty area, gave 2 corners away when he could have just kicked them out.

My slice of humble pie on the line-up is tasting pretty crappy, but a lot of loose play against a poor Bournemouth.

Then I guess Koeman has done the right thing today. He could introduce Gana in 2nd half to let him get used to the Premier League again after one month playing for and training with his national team.

There you go, 3-0 up at H/T and still can't see anything but problems. Incredible.

Loads for us to be positive about, and a fair bit for a few on here to moan about.

Everyone should be happy tonight!!

I've never felt more like singing the blues.

Not sure what to make of the game aside from we were as panicky as I've seen us in a while after Bournemouth got their first goal. Didn't close down enough, and too keen to just lump it forward in the hope of finding Lukaku.

Lukaku was brilliant though, he was back to full-on beast mode today. Well done Blues.

We are desperate for a commanding CB and LB. Funes Mores and Baines are woeful at defending. How he brought young Holgate on instead of Gana for Barry was unbelievable!

Apart from that, I thought Robles was outstanding again and Ross had his best game yet, really getting stuck in and I've been his fiercest critic. So I hold up my hand and say well done, Ross – keep it up, mate.

We got 3 points, no injury concerns, the Red Shite lost – it's a bloody great day!!

Do you really feel the need to focus on what didn't go right?

Not sure what to think of his celebrating before he actually scored though......

McCarthy
Lukaku
(Francis)
Coleman
Barkley
Funes Mori

The first was perhaps the best, superb placement by the Big Man. The fourth, that finish by Lukaku off the pinged-in cross I think that's the one I enjoyed the most.

Koeman, however, will not be pleased at the defensive fragility and rightly so. A lot of people on the live forum thought bringing on Holgate was odd, but actually it changed our shape and narrowed the space for them. (Their third should never have stood – ball clearly out.)

Brilliant, crazy day at the Old Lady.

Williams and Mori get 4 out of 10.
Barkley and Lukaku get 9 out of 10.
Thought McCarthy had his best game in a blue shirt.

Still not convinced by Schneiderlin and Tom Davies must start every game.

After Stoke, I criticised Lukaku for going AWOL but today he was awesome or we could have had to settle for a point as the Cherries made a game of it.

Hard to be a bit negative after this result but once again we showed that a couple of problems need to be addressed; another great performance by Joel.

I've been a huge critic of both Barkley and Lukaku in the past but today they were excellent. You won't see four goals of that quality scored by one player anywhere in world football.

All round good performance but Koeman still has his work cut out; it looked like the McCarthy substitution put us on the back foot leading to their goals.

Anyway a great win on the day the shite get beat with those goals coming from an ex blue.

I just think that it was so easy today that the team switched off for periods of the game & lost concentration. I mean we have been quite stingy in defence recently.

In reality Everton played some great stuff & I felt the boys could go up & down the gears at will. I never felt we would draw today let alone lose.

Keep the momentum going, come on you blue boys!!

Bournemouth committed footballing suicide there but we had enough quality in the end to kill them off.

I am expecting a much sterner defensive test off our next two opponents, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

The defence need to work on a few things but the whole team didn't do itself any favours in the 2nd half by just sitting too deep. Anyway onwards and upwards. Good win in the end and special mention to Joel Lukaku and Barkley, they all had great games. Barkley especially. I have been a big critic of his due to unrealised potential but whatever Koeman has said to him and or coached him, it's definitely working. His all round game is coming on leaps and bounds. Long may it continue.

RS losing, again, has just topped the day off nicely.

Koeman's revolution may have taken a few months longer than expected, maybe unfairly expected given the state this club was in when he took over in June, but we are now seeing a team with bite, hunger aggression led by an absolute beast of a striker, who In my opinion if you give him regular service he is the best striker in the Premier League.

It was a thrilling game, not happy with conceding sloppy goals but in fairness lately we have defended well and Bournemouth are a good attacking side so their goals today contributed to a fantastic game.

Lukaku was and has been immense for 18 months now with that odd blip towards the end of the Martinez reign but the team as a whole went through a tough time then.

Onwards and upwards with another win at Boro next week, and I'd settle for a nice scrappy 1-0 win.

I wouldn't have picked that team, but I thought we were superb in the first half and our quality shone through towards the end of the game.

Williams needs to concentrate more. If we have a slack day defensively, I can take it if we score six and focus on what we need to do.

I loved the way Barkley got stuck in and McCarthy charged around the park and went forwards!

Lukaku was immense. His finishing was top drawer today.

Schneiderlin tired which caused us to saga bit as did McCarthy going off – he's still an important player and I fear I saw him feeling his hamstring; I hope not.

Fine game, great fun. This is looking promising. Oh, and a word for Robles who again made two significant saves.

Little bit annoying that WBA are clinging onto our coat tails.

Great performance by Ross.

Amen to that, Dermot. Isn't it great not to be a miserable fecker!

Lookman looks a real talent. So glad we kept hold of McCarthy because he adds great energy in midfield and is a good option to have. We are looking really strong in midfield now with plenty of players to choose from. Barkley is in the best form of his life and might just become the creative Number 10 we all crave if he keeps improving.

What a day for our big Belgian. There's no doubt (in my mind) that we have one of the best strikers in the league. He's not perfect but his goal-scoring record speaks for itself and he is an handful for any defence to deal with... Especially when he's in the mood like today.

But us winning today and scoring 6 and them losing to Hull with Niasse scoring, just means those pints will tastes that bit sweeter.

(Obviously that doesn't apply to anyone bevvying in Wetherspoons – even if you beat Barcelona 10-0, your ale would still taste like stale flat piss)

As for the game, well I'm sure the tactics, substitutions and every kick will be analysed here, so I will simply say that the reason I buy a season-ticket is in the hope of seeing us stuff Man City 4-0 and occasionally to see a cocky local lad raise his hands in triumph BEFORE slotting the ball into the net.

Up the Toffees!

Lukaku was in his unplayable mood today, especially when we were in danger of throwing away the game, Barkley slowly getting some form together, Robles with a couple of good saves to keep us ahead when the defence were letting Bournemouth walk through them.

It looked easy in the end, I guarantee there wasn't one happy Evertonian in the ground when they scored their second goal, but all' swell that ends well.

Lukaku deserved all the praise going his way today as well as the match ball, but my favourite Everton player tonight is Niasse giving it to Liverpool.

Niasse, he scores when he wants to, good job he can't play against us.

6 points off Champions League and clicking through the gears. We're on the run in now.

My best player this season is the 23-year-old standing alone at the top of the scorers chart in the Premier League, without a penalty to his name. Cue some bullshit about him being lucky, not involved in play, having a terrible first touch...

Today was scary at times, but wonderful too. We are on a great run of form, and have some truly great defensive midfielders in the centre of the park. We need to add some creativity in the summer, and look at the defence. But this encouraging and we must must do our best to keep Lukaku. We will not be able to replace his goals.

Third goal was well over the bye-line, but to get 6 today, magnificent.

Koeman will assess as usual and advise his chargers accordingly.

I think the difference is that he's actually getting the kind of service that he needs to thrive this season. He's not and never will be a 'back to the goal' type of striker. Play the ball to him when he running at the opposition and you'll get goals.

Happy days!!!

I never thought McCarthy would be much use as a Number 10 but he certainly looked alright in the highlights. I was actually pissing myself when he scored that goal. Build up was superb, but the actual goal itself has to be one of the worst goals a team can concede. Up there with Yakubu scoring against Spurs off his back.

Absolute cracking day!

Rather than just stepping into a Champions League team, imagine the pride and kudos of being a big part of perhaps getting Everton there.

But I don't suppose for a moment that would sway him. Just hope he stays.

We did go pear shaped at the back for a while, but on a day when the Reds lost, Niasse scored, Englan pipped France, and theJocks surprised Ireland, I am too sported-out to care!!!!

Come on you Blues!!

Don't want to get carried away but we're 'only' 7 points off 3rd and have some winnable fixtures coming up.

At least one, if not more, of the teams above us will slip up – if we can maintain the current run .

'Borough away then we welcome the Ginger one. Nothing is easy but would be disappointed with less than 4 points, made up with 6!

If Rom keeps banging em in is he deserving of his own song?

My only issue is Barry should never start!!! As a fella said by me, "Barry, take the parachute off yer back..." He should come on to close out matches now when opposition are knackered. Not Having Davies or Gueye from the start is crazy!!

Koeman was a bit slow to change things but going back to a 3 was a great move to change the game back to us.

Lukaku was great.

Really great match and we all laughed at the end when we heard Niasse scored at the end.

COYBs

After the depressing cup exit to Leicester, a few spouted 'season over.' The league table is showing that was way too premature.

We are on a nice roll. Top of the form table over the last 6 league games, in which time we have gained 2 points on United, 4 points on both the Arse and City and a whopping EIGHT on our loveable neighbours.

Replicate that to season's end in the remaining 14 games and we have a genuine chance of reeling a few in and – who knows? – landing a Champions League spot.

Given the run we are on, the cup defeat to Leicester continues to grate. If we had got past them, we could have had a real shout at the trophy.

Still, to take a positive from it, I think it was a watershed moment for the very obviously angry Koeman after that cup exit. From that, he made many a decisive decision on numerous players in the January transfer window. The club, the squad and the team are healthier for it.

And just one comment to add about today's game:

Who would have thought it plausible to describe Barkley's tackling as 'crunching?' Because at least twice today, it certainly was.

Looking good...

Get the service to him and he will score. He should be cherished, we are unlikely to attract better if he left.

We are on a roll right now and the next two fixtures don't exactly look scary. The top six is within reach.

Great entertainment at Goodison today, we did look shaky at the back in the second half but they nothing to lose at threw everything at us, and the showboating by Ross at the end had us in the Street End in stitches.

Now we just need Man Utd to drop points tomorrow.

Re your comment on Lukaku, I am sure the vast majority wants him to stay.

Before the start of the season there was a £75 million pricetag slapped on him to ward suitors off Most of us guffawed, myself included,

This time around you can make that £100 million and stand firm, how many of us would agree?

By the way, all the ' Mac'-bashers who wanted him sold, glad Koeman saw the real James.

Very nervous moments at 3-2. Bournemouth did very well to fight back but we smashed them in the end.

Koeman is the man. Look at the difference and he has only been here a few months.

Once the defence is sorted out we are going to be a formidable outfit.

Did Everton take the foot off the pedal? Sure. But Bournemouth kept the ball and did expose the back four, none of whom had particularly good games. Balance is the key and that restoration came in part with Holgate's introduction. I still feel with the personnel available, back three has to stay.

Happy to hold my hands up on McCarthy he played very well today, nice to see. Always happy to see improvements in players and that was a decent and controlled performance, bagged a goal which his play deserved.

Several gifts in that lot from Bournemouth, since Ake went back they become a veritable colander. But Rom's touch, kill and dink on the back pass was very enjoyable, as was his clapping when Ross rounded Boruc.

Who thought Ross could be a snide?

But when he is playing with the team as a component, and not some long-ball afterthought or escape hatch, we always look like scoring on the break/after pressing. He's becoming the complete striker and for that reason alone we need Europe next season so we can try and keep him.

Leicester last season showed what can be achieved by taking no notice at all of reputations. 14 games to go and who knows where we'll end up if any of Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs or our lovely neighbours slip away from the two points a game they've all more averaged this season. 28 points more from us should be enough to send panic through the lot of them.

Just believe lads, believe!

People have been putting good work in on Ross. He looks fitter and leaner, he contribute constantly now, not just the odd cameo, and a lot of simple passes within the occasional flash of talent. And now hopefully goals too .

Lovely.

Schneiderlin looks a player too, lots of time to play, passes long and short, tackles and interceptions, strength and some pace.

Lookman has great pace and lots of tricks as well as determination. He brings you to your feet. He will score goals for us although it may be a bit early to start with him. He may have more opportunity in the last 20 minutes when thins open up.

Some credit to Koeman here too. He set the team up well to start and it worked. In the second half the team dropped back collectively and a bloody great void in midfield was surrendered to Bournemouth to walk through, with 40 yards between Lukaku and the nearest player, hence long balls ad nauseam.

He changed back to a back 3 , with more players now in midfield, we took back control and scored more in pretty short order.

The problematical pairing of Williams and Funes Mori in a 4 does not inspire confidence though.

The 10/10 power show from Lukaku. The transformation of Goodison from being a collective nervous wreck to house full of party animals – once we had gotten ourselves over the line.

People complain on here about... err people complaining. But this is all we want, a game to get the pulse racing. It doesn't have to happen every week, just often enough to keep us guessing.

If you could guarantee half a dozen games like this next season, they could double the prices of season tickets and still be sold out by the end of the week.

Missed Lukaku's first, I was shaking hands with the big fella, just seen it now, nice, very nice.

Lookman looks a very good player but not one who will put his foot in, needs to be a bit more assertive to go with his confidence.

Robles got us those points as much as Lukaku did.

Davies came on and didn't get too involved but for me he already has a presence that we haven't had in several years. Good win, more lessons learned hopefully.

One of the bright spots in the first half in the Upper Bullens was the bloke yelling "Hull have scored!" over the otherwise complete silence in the stand.

Absolutely Gutted when the linesman couldn't see that their third goal was well out of play, but Barkley's goal helped changed the score-line even if it didn't soften the blow of not winning a bag of sand!

I've also done a double with Lukaku to score 1st and Darren Hind's tip in the 2:45 at Wetherby, and still don't know how that horse got on yet.

A day of hitting the bar, maybe, Or a nice few quid to pick up tomorrow? I still don't think we are even playing like a proper team just yet, and can't wait for the day when we do, because we have got some very good players, just now, and I'm sure we are all going to enjoy watching the kid Lookman, who really looks like he can play?

"One of the bright spots in the first half in the Upper Bullens was the bloke yelling "Hull have scored" over the otherwise complete silence in the stand."

Yes, I was there as well. Cracking moment.

It fell

Liverpool's defeat should not matter. But, by fuck, it is the icing on the cake! Niasse's goal is icing on the icing. Good times are coming.

It's one of the reasons I don't gamble very often, so close yet so far, is just too full of heartache, but after not doing either Swansea, or Wolves, to beat Liverpool, I just can't believe I never backed fucking Hull!

But, we shouted ourselves hoarse and willed our team on. Then we shouted out 'when Everton win, and Liverpool lose...'; 'on the banks of the Royal blue...', 'if, you know your history...' to show them we were proud.

Whatever you think of Koeman and Everton at the moment, something special is happening. I can feel it in my vocals! COYB

Hopefully no injuries for Boro and let's hope we can be tight in defence and as clinical next week. Not getting carried away but it's been a good week.

What does surprise me is the excessive criticism of Williams and Funes Mori today. Neither player was on top of their game, but the drop in intensity in midfield and the number of Bournemouth players committed to attack put both under a lot of pressure. Both players receive a five from the Echo experts, while Mason Holgate, who was on the field for around ten minutes, gets a seven. I'm a great fan of Holgate and all of our fine younger players, but come on, this makes no sense. Koeman will iron out the defensive issues, I'm sure.

Let's forget the defensive lapses today, as we did against Blackpool, and celebrate a fine Everton win!

It was just one of those glorious days. Enjoy the win and revel in the entertainment.

The question has been raised, "How do we keep Lukaku?" Easy, don't sell him, I assume he is still under contract?

There are others who were stimulated by the excitement and nervousness when Robles had to make 2 great saves at 3-2. Then were euphoric when we came back to effectively win the game at 4-2.

The rest was just crazy. Leaving the ground exhilarated must have been a fabulous experience.

Even the Bournemouth supporters knew that their team had given it a go.

Reminded me of Blackpool (5-3) a few years ago.

Great win, very good in parts, but Davies must start instead of Barry & 4-4-2 no longer suits our style of play.

Sticking to 3-5-2 at Boro will get us the 3 points, I believe.

Onwards Blues...

Rom gave the complete striker's performance and my guess is that a lot of big clubs are looking at buying him. My worry is that they are doing the same with Ross who has been magnificent in recent games. We must move heaven and earth to keep both because they are irreplaceable.

They say that a great team needs a great spine and we have it now from Rom to Robles but with a question mark at the centre of the defence but we maybe have it in Holgate.

The commentator on the stream I had said that Holgate came on so Coleman could push up further and he then set up the next goal so a good move.

Great days to be a Blue, methinks.

Loving Niasse and Robles at the moment, if Joel can keep this up absolutely no need for a new keeper, priorities have to be at CB for me. Two good calls from Mark Morrissey earlier. John Pierce has been bang on with comments/criticism about our Centre Backs. We need more aerial strength and pace in that area, Williams has neither.

Credit to McCarthy, I have been one of his biggest critics over the last couple of years, completely justified in my opinion, but now James is finally finally looking like a Premier League player, keep it up lad!

Can it get any better than this?

We are honestly not that far off with all but Chelsea packed together in the standings. If we can qualify for that competition we could bringing in the players to strengthen the side around Lukaku. We must make that or aim.

Before today we had only scored three goals in the first thirty minutes of league games this season. So we doubled our tally with the three in the first half hour today. Starting games on the front foot is always important but even more so when we come up against teams in the top six.

Ross Barkley was also excellent today. His tackling was fearsome and he was another who benefits when the team as a whole is playing at a fast tempo. He fully deserved his goal. His celebration before scoring reminded me of Steve Ovett waving to the crowd before reaching the finishing line of an 800 metres race.

Should have stopped the cross for their second and from where I sat I thought the Bournemouth player used an arm in the process of putting the ball in for third?

Let's keep the momentum going.

He's also, Brent, the first to score more than 15 goals for us, I think, for 4 consecutive season since Joe Royle between 1967 and 1971.

Interestingly, he's also our fastest recorded sprinter this season.

Seriously, I watched that game on 'Game of the Day'; just as I did at Bournemouth last season and I thought at 3-2 is this really going to happen again.

Robles, Barkley, McCarthy, Lookman and Rom - Awsome today. And Davies was pretty good too.

Joking aside, I couldn't help but laughed when I just watched the 20-min highlight on official site when Barks celebrated before his goal scoring kick. I was, however, wondering what if he missed the goal. We have seen weirder things.

As Ian Wright said on MOTD, that's the kind of thing we all did as little kids playing the game, and there's one of our own doing it for real. Glorious stuff.

Lukaku unplayable, scoring 4 brilliant goals, Ross playing brilliantly, the team like a well oiled machine at times – yes we conceded 3 (should have only been 2 given that their 3rd shouldn't have stood) but who cares? We scored 6 beauties!

As an aside, and I know this is a bold claim, but Lookman reminds me at times of Eden Hazard – he has the same touch, balance and control, and the kid has a shot in both feet, plus a few tricks up his sleeve.

I have a feeling that things are falling into place now that Koeman and his team are getting their ducks in a row. 6 points off 4th place tonight, and Niasse scores against the shite!

Marvellous stuff all round! Up the blues!

If we could keep the ball a little more, I really believe next season could be something special. Like everyone else, I'm enjoying being a blue ATM and today was just compounded by Niasse.

No-one is going to look forward to coming to Goodison Park again this season and that's the way I like it. I'm almost looking forward to visiting Old Trafford and White Hart Lane.

See here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38779235

World class finishing, as good as you'll see from anyone past or present.

Crazy match. Rom is a beast when he's in the mood. Ross was great today also. Need to get him tied down to a long contract.

Catching up with the top 6 slowly and we're not even being mentioned. That's the way I like it..all of a sudden we're among them. The RS are bang average and we'll finish above them. Not even worried about them. Europa League at worst for me... hopefully better.

Jonathan (#154), no you're not. I love watching him (Arter)!

Will (#156), precisely, wish the rest of his (Rom's) game was better though. Mind you, if it was, we would almost certainly lose him. His bad points are outweighed by his outstanding hunger and ability to score so I'm not complaining too much!

Based on his better days, if Man Utd or Man City etc offered £100M for Rom, you couldnt really say they were mad, especially after Pogba. But Christ, he frustrates me at times!

Yes, sometimes the joy just transcends any analysis.

Lads, what a player that Lookman could turn out to be. Tried to beat one too many on occasions, but I know why Koeman chose to put him in so early.

We could be on the verge of something very special with these youngsters. Don't want to get too excited, but the pieces could be falling into place for a new Everton dynasty here.

New stadium, homegrown youngsters ripping the place up and the Premier League's top goalscorer. Add a manager who doesn't suffer anyone offering less than 100% and it could be the start of something special.

I can't wait for the next game, never thought I'd be saying that after going out of the Cup.

For example;

That goal was a beaut = brill goal.

You're a beaut aren't ya? = you're a bit of a nob aren't you?

As for Lookman, well Steve Walsh was purring on Evertontv about what he had seen in training, stating his finishing with both feet is as good as Rom's, we could have something really special here.

I think the faithful have to sing "Da Do Ron Ron" by the Crystals every time we score as he may have found the right formula.

Interesting listening to Roberto on GoS earlier, still singing the praises of Ross, and saying when he's happy he has confidence and will put in a great performance, that pre-goal celebration epitomizing his character.

I thought McCarthy put in a good shift, and not taking anything away from that, but to me he didn't look 100% yet. Maybe I'm wrong but at times he looked to be running almost on tip toes and playing cautiously.

In fact, the most pleasing aspect of the game for me was Barkley once again looking like he's enjoying his football rather than suffering through it with the weight of the world on his shoulders. The playground-style goal celebration showed that his confidence is back after once looking like it might have been crushed out of him for good.

Even those who claimed he was "brainless", "a Championship player at best", or would be turning out for "the likes of West Brom within two years", must surely be able to see he's been putting in some hard graft on the training ground in an attempt to get the weaker aspects of his game up to speed.

He's now doing the much talked about 'dirty work' many said he despised, shunned or was simply instructed to not even bother his arse about and supporters in the ground are responding positively rather than forever pointing the finger at him. He may have had an off day on the ball against Stoke, but he was still busy and willing to battle. That hasn't always been the case.

He was aided greatly yesterday by the players around him (Lukaku, Lookman and McCarthy in particular) constantly being on the move and giving him the option of releasing the ball early, rather than having to hold it, look up, see nothing but static ahead, hold it a while longer, look again, nothing on so pass back or lose it. If the team can carry on in that vein, then the 'dithering' Ross is often accused of should hopefully recede into nothing but distant memory.

Now, gooooo Leicester!!

The word does mean different things depending on the situation, but in the context of being called a 'beaut' by someone living in the northwest, it is almost certainly an insult and definitely not a compliment.

Let's start with a counter-factual: if Lukaku had been injured and we were four goals short, what would our performance against the Cherries look like then?

I'm pretty sure that Koeman has a sneaking worry about some of the play in the second half.

When Ronald departs for Barcelona after winning us our first couple of Premier League titles, I think Mr Howe should be in the frame given his Evertonian roots and his talent. By that stage, I am sure he will have learned how to organise a defence.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beaut

Tony (184) – I often like to read the message boards for other clubs, just to see what their fans are saying. The majority are a moaning, miserable lot, just like us (I kid!), but the Bournemouth fans are always so polite and optimistic. Even after they threw away that 3-0 lead to draw Arsenal, the general attitude was still "It's still a point against the Gunners, lads!" I imagine once they've been up for a couple more seasons, the good cheer will be beaten out of them.

#15.

I don't think he was aiming for the complimentary version!!

More of the same please, Ross, next week at Boro.

There are two possibilities 1) I am the Kreskin of TW 2) My peepers are going west due to use of Poundland readers.

Guess we'll just have to wait for # 199 to see.

Andy # 311 - Nothing to get really, just that 'Texan' was used (in Liverpool) in much the same way as beaut.

Link

I showed the Mane returning from Afcon one to about a hundred people. Seriously, it is like fucking witchcraft to me.