A dominant first-half performance was enough to give Everton all three-points over Newcastle United as Romelu Lukaku scored twice in tonight’s 3-2 thriller.
A Lukaku brace and Ross Barkley gave Martinez’s men a 3-0 lead going into half-time, but Loic Remy and Yohan Cabaye gave The Magpies a glimmer of hope in the second-half, but they couldn’t snatch a late point.
Below is some reaction from after the game.
Everton goalscorer Romelu Lukaku:
“I loved it, I have waited to make my home debut for a long time. My team-mates really helped me and from minute one I was focused.”
Everton midfielder Gareth Barry:
“In the first half we started so well, a fantastic tempo, but fair play to Newcastle who came out and made a game of it. To reach 500 Premier League games is fantastic, I feel very lucky.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez:
“The first half was so dominant that sometimes unconsciously you drop the tempo, but overall I was pleased that we controlled it for long periods before their late second.
“For a number nine to have that awareness of what was going on around him, Romelu Lukaku was unplayable. He is going to get stronger and the players around him will learn how to play with him.
“Ross Barkley is the sort of player who controls things in midfield that is unusual in a player his age. I think he is an exceptional ambassador, not only for Everton but English football as a whole.
“It is almost a question of keeping him away from the training ground because he is so eager to improve himself!
“It has been a good start to the season, we were disappointed with the first three games but now getting into the top four is a great target for us. We are looking forward to playing and developing.”
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew:
“Unfortunately in the first half, nothing went right for us. This club is better than that. In second half, we had to show we could defend better. In the end, we had to take defeat from a first-half performance that wasn’t good enough. Regarding Yohan Cabaye, it goes to show what an important player he is for us.”
