Barkley banks a place in last eight
GOALS from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku put Everton through to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time in five seasons.
The Cherries fluffed a great chance to take the lead when Charlie Daniels’ penalty was saved shortly before half-time. And England midfielder Barkley made him pay with a finish of real quality from the edge of the box on 55 minutes. Lukaku made certain with his 21st goal of a stellar season, powering in from five yards out.
“It was a really important performance for us,” said Everton boss Roberto Martinez. “In the first half we were not anywhere near our level but the second half was a real change.
“We look a really strong team now going into the final part of the season and I am really proud of going into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.”
The Toffees started the game with purpose and when Barkley burst into the box in the fourth minute he should have done more to test Adam Federici.
Juan Iturbe had the Bournemouth fans on their feet with a driving run through the heart of the Everton defence, but he fluffed his lines with a weak finish.
Former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling then blocked a shot from James McCarthy and defender Funes Mori headed wide. Lukaku then danced down the left flank past Tommy Elphick but his low poke was smothered by Federici.
Bournemouth were second best, but they did have a golden chance to take the lead in the 36th minute when Daniels drove a corner to the back post which hit McCarthy on the hand. There were few protests when referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the penalty spot, but Daniels’ spot-kick was beaten away by Joel Robles, diving low to his left.
Everton heeded their warning and ten minutes into the second half Barkley collected the ball from Tom Cleverley, set himself and looped a magnificent curling effort over Federici from 20 yards.
Two minutes later home fans were breathing a sigh of relief when an offside flag ruled out a Lukaku goal.
In the 72nd minute Gosling had a golden opportunity to equalise but, just five yards out, he headed the ball harmlessly into Robles’ arms.
And it was big Belgian striker Lukaku who was celebrating the game’s second goal.
Everton won a corner after Eunan O’Kane blocked Barkley’s strike, and Bryan Oviedo’s delivery was touched on by Gareth Barry at the near post and Lukaku reacted quickest to fire in the loose ball from five yards.