United extends Everton’s early misery
Manchester club pours in four goals, including Lukaku’s tally against former mates
When Romelu Lukaku slotted the ball into the Everton net, the Manchester United striker had no intention of holding back on the celebrations.
Especially after being jeered during Sunday’s Premier League game by the Everton fans who revered him before an off-season transfer across northern England.
Lukaku’s goal — the third in a 4-0 drubbing of Everton — compounded the miserable run for his former club. It’s now four consecutive losses in all competitions, three in the league, with Everton conceding 12 goals without reply in the process.
Early in the season, it’s looking bleak for Ronald Koeman’s side which demonstrated such ambition in the summer when it spent US$190 million on talent. That doesn’t even take into account the free transfer of former United captain Wayne Rooney, who experienced a depressing return to Old Trafford on the pitch.
At least he received a warm reception, perhaps out of sympathy for the predicament he’s facing at his new team.
The poor run of form started with a 2-0 loss last month to Chelsea, which was held 0-0 by Arsenal in Sunday’s other game. Only alphabetical order is separating Manchester United and Manchester City at the top of the standings. After five games, they have identical records at four wins and a draw each.
Yet it was only Antonio Valencia’s half-volley in the fourth minute separating United and Everton until the 83rd minute when Henrikh Mkhitaryan slotted in a second. Lukaku struck in the 89th minute and a handball by Morgan Schneiderlin allowed Anthony Martial to slot in a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time.
Red mist
For the fifth time in eight matches, Chelsea had a player sent off.
But David Luiz’s dismissal in the 87th minute for a high, sliding challenge on Sead Kolasinac came too late for Arsenal to produce a winner at Stamford Bridge.