CRISPY LUK!
Romelu putting Lineker goals record on his takeaway menu
HULL CITY the club, for the players, everybody. It was difficult for him until he had more space.
“I know that if he gets opportunities he will score.”
Already 2-0 up and with Hull down to 10 men, it seemed the game was slumbering to an inevitable conclusion, the prawn sandwich brigade having long since disappeared into the night.
As the illuminated board displayed the added time, substitute Enner Valencia, who had already made his mark with a goal with his first touch, dissected the Hull defence with a ball that was tailormade for the on-running Lukaku.
He barely had to check his stride as he went on to calmly clip Premier League goal number 20 past the exposed Eldin Jakupovic.
Goal 21 arrived just a couple of minutes later courtesy of a slack back pass from Omar Elabdellaoui which Lukaku gobbled up rounding Jakupovic before pulling the trigger.
Anyone anticipating a backlash to Lukaku’s refusal to commit to an Everton future would have been disappointed.
Right now the Toffees’ wagons are being circled for a concerted push for the top six. At least for 24 hours, they removed Manchester United’s grip on sixth place – one the Red Devils had held since November 5th.
For Hull it’s a survival scrap and one which might go on minus Tom Huddlestone, harshly sent off with 17 minutes remaining. Manager Marco Silva said: “We didn’t deserve that decision.”
Koeman concurred that referee Paul Tierney had erred, adding: “It was a yellow card not a red.”
Dominic Calvert-lewin, 20, could only dream of the riches that striking partner Lukaku is being offered when he was knocking in goals for nonleague Stalybridge Celtic.
On loan from Sheffield United two years ago, the young forward struck six goals in just five games for the then National League side.
Yesterday the bargain £1.5million capture from the Blades was at it again – but this time in the rarefied atmosphere of the top tier.
He can thank the lethal combination of Ross Barkley and Tom Davies for his first Premier League goal after eight minutes.
Barkley, oozing confidence following his England recall, pierced the Hull defence with scalpel-like precision inviting Davies to move threateningly into the penalty area. Unselfishly the midfielder crossed for Calvert-lewin to calmly sidefoot past Jakupovic.
Hull had their moments and Sam Clucas came agonisingly close to capitalising on indecision by Ashley Williams whose weak header back to keeper Joel Robles was met by the outstretched foot of the Hull midfielder – only for the ball to land on the roof of the net.
Lukaku twice went close before Valencia made it 2-0 two minutes after replacing Davies. Lukaku was the provider with a flicked pass which Valencia drilled into the net.
But it all ended with Lukaku doing what he does so very well – scoring goals and stealing headlines.
Romelu is a pro and every pro gives his best RONALD KOEMAN