Soccer

Lukaku on double as Everton complete stunning comeback

West Brom had been fully in charge before dramatic turnaround in last 15 minutes

Romelu Lukaku scores Everton’s winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns. Photograph: Getty
Romelu Lukaku scores Everton’s winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns. Photograph: Getty
Mon Sept 28 2015 - 23:15

WEST BROM 2 (Berahino 41, Dawson 54) EVERTON 3 (Lukaku 55, 84; Kone 75)

Romelu Lukaku inspired Everton to a stunning fightback at West Brom as the Toffees recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2. The former Baggies striker scored twice and set up Arouna Kone as the visitors scored twice in the final 15 minutes to steal the points.

Saido Berahino and Craig Dawson had put the Baggies 2-0 ahead but Lukaku hit back immediately after Dawson’s header nine minutes after the break. The 22-year-old ignited Everton’s challenge with Kone’s impact also crucial, the forward scoring within three minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute. It was the first time Everton had come back to win a game in the Premier League since May 1994.

There was little hint of the drama to come, which left Albion winless at home in the Premier League this season, during a wretched first half which was only lit up by Berahino’s opener. Without the sidelined John Stones, out with a knee injury, Ramiro Funes Mori stepped in for his full league debut, but the Everton defender was at fault for Albion’s first goal after a dull first 25 minutes.

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Mori had enjoyed an untroubled half but imploded when he lost the ball near the halfway line after trying to run out of defence. It found Morrison and his excellent throughball for Berahino saw the striker slip in a low shot via Tim Howard’s leg.

Wide

Buoyed, James McClean fired over immediately after the restart and Mori escaped a penalty shout after pushing over Salomon Rondon. Darren Fletcher then had a header turned needlessly wide by Howard after 54 minutes and Albion doubled their lead from the resulting corner.

Phil Jagielka and Barkley got themselves in a mess trying to pick up Dawson and Jonny Evans which allowed Dawson to nod in Chris Brunt’s deep delivery. Instantly, though, Everton hit back when Lukaku headed Deulofeu’s cross past Boaz Myhill.

With that the game turned, even if Everton’s desperation was growing and James McCarthy was booked for an awful dive in the box with 20 minutes left. Yet Kone levelled four minutes later – and just three minutes after coming on.

The Baggies were shellshocked and former Chelsea striker Lukaku was not finished as he wrapped up Everton’s comeback with six minutes left. There was a hint of handball when he met Deulofeu’s cross, but with Myhill slow to react Lukaku smashed in from close range to win it.