#3 Standout player: Romelu Lukaku
Match: Everton vs. AFC Bournemouth
Romelu Lukaku plundered four goals against a hapless Bournemouth defence as the Toffees won 6-3 in a thrilling, see-saw encounter at Goodison Park.
The match was a game of two halves – the first thoroughly dominated by Everton who took a 3-0 lead, but the second where the Cherries staged a comeback of sorts scoring twice to make it 3-2. It was once again Lukaku to the rescue; the striker who had already bagged a brace and an assist by this point, scored twice more to ensure Everton take home all 3 points.
While the Belgian’s first was a result of a lovely one-two exchange with James McCarthy, the second came as a consequence of a blundering back pass by Simon Francis. The hattrick was a poacher’s goal and he made it four, courtesy a Ross Barkley through ball.
Lukaku showed tremendous awareness and strength and continually tore apart the Cherries defence as Ronald Koeman’s side finished the weekend at seventh place, just 5 points off a European spot. With 16 goals from 24 games played, Lukaku is now the top scorer in the league.
Honourable mentions: N’golo Kante (vs. Arsenal), Gabriel Jesus (vs. Swansea City), M’baye Niang (vs. Burnley), Jermain Defoe (vs. Crystal Palace). Son Heung-min (vs. Middlesbrough)
