Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick as Everton beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Sunderland boss David Moyes
Sunderland’s winless start to the Premier League season continued following a 3-0 defeat against Everton at the Stadium of Light on Monday night.
After a goalless first half, Romelu Lukaku ended his goal drought in emphatic fashion with a quickfire hat-trick to all but seal the points with 20 minutes to play.
The result leaves Sunderland second from bottom in the Premier League table with one point from their first four matches, while Everton rise to third on 10 points.
Here is how the Black Cats’ players fared:
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford: 7/10
The young goalkeeper couldn’t do much about any of Romelu Lukaku’s goals and made a few good saves including one early on to prevent Lukaku heading in an opener.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action with Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
Defence
Javier Manquillo: 6/10
Yannick Bolasie got the better of him to cross for Everton’s second, but other than that he didn’t do too badly.
Lamine Kone: 5/10
Started strongly in the first half and could have gave the hosts the lead soon after half-time with a header, but Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg gathered it comfortably.
After being the hero against the Toffees last season, he was caught napping a few times in the second half as the visitors scored three quick goals.
Papy Djilobodji: 4/10
Like Kone, Djilobodji had a solid first half but a woeful second as he was exposed twice as Everton capitalised.
He struggled badly against the movement and power of the away side’s attack, particularly after the introduction of Gerard Deulofeu.
Patrick van Aanholt: 5/10
A few good tackles and kept Bolasie largely quiet during the first period but the same couldn’t be said for Deulofeu in the second.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Midfield
Jack Rodwell: 5/10
Threw himself around against his former club but a few wayward passess and large spells without him getting a sniff of the ball ment he failed to make any sort of impact on the match.
Jan Kirchhoff: 7/10
The big German’s long awaited return was one of the few positives for Sunderland as he cancelled Ross Barkley out of the game and protected the back four well.
After Everton scored his impact wasn’t felt as much but still Black Cats’ fans will be happy to see him back out on the field.
Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore in action with Everton’s Idrissa Gueye
Duncan Watmore: 5/10
Made a number of positive forward runs but poor decision-making and no end product meant he just wasted and frustrated more than anything.
Adnan Januzaj: 5/10
Provided a slight threat going forward with some clever touches keeping the Everton defence on their toes without offering any meaningful penetration.
Lynden Gooch: 6/10
The American youngster put in a good shift down the left before his 57th minute withdrawal with the score at 0-0.
He worked hard and looked a threat at times, testing Everton goalkeeper Stekelenburg with a cross-cum-shot.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj
Attack
Jermain Defoe: 5/10
Didn’t really get a sniff but he will be kicking himself for not finishing a great one-on-one opportunity inside the first 10 minutes.
He scuffed the bouncing ball over the crossbar but really should have tested the keeper.
Grew increasingly isolated after a promising start.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe looks dejected
Substitutes
Wahbi Khazri (for Gooch 57′): 4/10
Lost out in the build-up to Everton’s opener soon after being introduced and otherwise made absolutely no impact on the game.
Didier Ndong (for Watmore 73′): 6/10
Sunderland’s record signing came on with the game already over and didn’t really make much of an impact positive or negative.
Jason Denayer (for Kirchhoff 76′): 6/10
Shored things up defensively but by that time the Black Cats were already three goals down.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Will Sunderland stay up?
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