We started the game really, really well with a lot of the attacking work coming from Baines and Davies who linked up tremendously well but the first goal was a move started and finished wholeheartedly in Everton.
Barkley collected the ball and slotted in Tom Davies who managed to latch on to it on the stretch to cut back for Dom Calvert-Lewin to net his first goal for the Blues with his first ever shot on target. It’s always nice to see a young player score their first goal for the clubs and this was no different.
After that, Morgan Schneiderlin was unfortunately taken off injured, and it was only then you realised how well he was playing, we missed him without question. But then again, when your comparison is Gareth Barry you’ll always look a world beater.
We then took it very easy up until the introduction of Enner Valencia in the second half who really did change the game, and his relationship with Lukaku is almost symbiotic. Lukaku knocked a ball over the Hull canopy for Valencia slot home to secure the three points.
But the scoring wasn’t finished. Lukaku hadn’t arrived.
When someone finally decided to play the ball ahead of Lukaku for him to run on to, he steamrolled through an unfortunate Hull defence to blast home past Jakupovic.
And with Everton’s third goal in 10 minutes, Lukaku had rounded out a solid performance by rounding Jakupovic.
A bow to the Gwladys and the performance was finished.
Joel Robles 6
Looked assured for the little he had to do but nearly cost us a sloppy goal with indecisiveness late on in the first half.
Séamus Coleman 4
Normally Coleman can make up for poor defensive displays with his attacking play, but that was sorely lacking today. He was caught out far too often, stranded in Hull’s half and failed to stop a single cross.
Phil Jagielka 8
For all the scepticism I have for the man, he was simply brilliant today. He let nothing get past him and completely neutralised Abel Hernandez. His distribution was stellar and he was never caught in two minds. Much better from the captain.
Ashley Williams 7
Besides a moment of hesitation with his accomplice Joel Robles in the first 45, he was largely good.
Leighton Baines 10
Leighton was truly flawless today. He was a workhorse when it was needed and hounded the Hull midfield and at times even pressurised their defence. He made runs we hadn’t seen since the days of Steven Pienaar and was involved in every attack from start to finish, leading by example.
He rolled back the years spectacularly today.
Tom Davies 8
Involved in the first goal with a phenomenal pass and went from strength to strength as the game went on, taking up the main midfield role after Schneiderlin’s withdrawal.
Morgan Schneiderlin 7
Was superbly good as is standard now until his early exit.
Idrissa Gana Gueye 9
He was at full pelt for the entire 90 minutes and showed no signs of stopping or slowing down. He was all over the pitch in what was one of his best performances in a sublime personal season.
Ross Barkley 8
In some parts slow today but for the most part he was absolutely exceptional. He once again controlled the game and made sure that everything went through him. His combination with Tom Davies was a real highlight.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 8
A stellar game from Dom on only his second start for the club. He scored early on which was hopefully his first of many for the club. He controlled the channels well and benefited from the support of Barkley and Davies.
Romelu Lukaku 9
Well.
It just wouldn’t be a day without a goal from Rom. Or two.
Although he carried himself like a man who knows he’ll be leaving soon, he looked like a man who didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Subs -
Gareth Barry 4
He was slow, his passing was poor and made some almost costly errors.
Ramiro Funes Mori 6
Not really sure what he came on to do but whatever it was, it looked like he did it well
Enner Valencia 9
This may seem a tad excessive for a man brought on for ten minutes but in those ten minutes he changed the game in its entirety. He provided a direct partner to Romelu Lukaku and made the most of it, with a goal 69 seconds after coming on.
He then made sure he was involved in everything that went on around him.
£14m is too much, but there is no reason, if the price is reduced, why we shouldn’t extend Enner Valencia’s stay at Goodison. When called upon, he has been phenomenal.