Romelu Lukaku stars as Everton cruise to victory over West Brom

Romelu Lukaku scored his 19th Premier League goal of the season as Everton cruised to a 3-0 win over West Brom.

The Toffees dominated possession in the first period but created few chances against a stubborn Baggies defence until Kevin Mirallas netted after Ross Barkley’s shot was parried.

And they soon doubled their lead when Lukaku did brilliantly to set up Mordan Schneiderlin who produced a deft touch for his first Everton goal.

Tony Pulis’s side offered little in the second half and the home team capitalised with Lukaku scoring with a header, his tenth goal in his last ten games.

The result sees Everton stay seventh but close the gap on six-placed Manchester United to two points, although Jose Mourinho’s side have two games in hand, while the Baggies remain in eighth place.

Can Everton snatch a top six finish? Koeman’s side returned to winning ways having lost to Tottenham last weekend which had ended their nine-match unbeaten run. The Dutch coach has said his side are chasing Arsenal and they put pressure on Arsene Wenger’s side and Manchester United, who are above them in the table but have games in hand, by closing the gap with a comfortable victory to continue their impressive season.

Romelu Lukaku (Everton): The striker, who is in talks over a new contract, has been in red-hot form but showed his unselfish side with a brilliant assist for Morgan Schneiderlin. It was a tough test for the Belgian facing a stubborn Baggies backline but his work rate paid off as he scored late on with a well taken header.

EVERTON: Joel 5, Coleman 6, Jagielka 6, Williams 5, Baines 5, Barry 6, Davies 5, Schneiderlin 7, Barkley 6, Mirallas 6, Lukaku 8. Subs: Funes Mori 5, Gueye 5.

WEST BROM: Foster 5, Dawson 6, McAuley 6, Evans 5, Nyom 4, Livermore 5, Yacob 5, Fletcher 5, Chadli 5, McClean 4,Robson-Kanu 5. Subs: Brunt 5, Rondon 5, Morrison 5.

16’ - CHANCE! Barry slips the ball through to Lukaku in the box but the striker drags his shot wide, that was a good chance.

28’ – LUKAKU MISS: Davies' cross is blocked for a corner. Mirallas' delivery is played short to Baines whose cross is flicked wide by Lukaku at the far post.

39’ - GOAL! Everton 1-0 West Brom: Barkley's low drive from the edge of the box is parried by Foster and Mirallas was on hand to fire in the rebound.

45’ - GOAL! Everton 2-0 West Brom: Schneiderlin grabs his first goal for Everton after lifting the ball over the keeper following a late run into the box. Lukaku set up the goal using his strength before playing the through ball to his compatriot.

82’ - GOAL! Everton 3-0 West Brom: Lukaku gets on the scoresheet with a close range header from Barkley's cross from the left.

90+2 - POST! Coleman finds Gueye on the edge of the area who turns and fires a low shot which rattles the bottom of the post, that would have been the icing on the cake.

Schneiderlin's previous league goal was also at Goodison Park, when he netted for Manchester United in October 2015.