{"id":263371,"date":"2016-10-30T15:36:16","date_gmt":"2016-10-30T15:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=263371"},"modified":"2016-10-30T15:36:16","modified_gmt":"2016-10-30T15:36:16","slug":"everton-2-0-west-ham-lukaku-barkley-strikes-down-hammers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/10\/everton-2-0-west-ham-lukaku-barkley-strikes-down-hammers\/","title":{"rendered":"Everton 2-0 West Ham: Lukaku, Barkley strikes down Hammers"},"content":{"rendered":"
Romelu Lukaku continued his outstanding scoring streak against West Ham as Everton claimed a 2-0 win against the Hammers at Goodison Park to get back to winning ways.<\/p>\n
The Belgian netted the opening goal of the game to make it seven consecutive games against the Londoners in which he has scored, with Ross Barkley securing the win 15 minutes from time.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n The victory, Everton\u2019s first in six games, keeps them in sixth place, but they managed to close the gap on first place to six points.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A hasty start to the game saw some wild challenges going in, and Antonio only just failing to convert a wonderful Payet ball into the area.<\/p>\n Obiang wasted a glorious chance, sending over from close range having been sent through from Payet, before the Frenchman forced a save low-down from Robles.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Hammers were looking dangerous, and their three-at-the-back system was doing well to nullify the threat of Romelu Lukaku – though the hosts attacked with pace on the counter attack.<\/p>\n One such attack, led by Lukaku on the left wing, led to a Bolasie shot which was blocked by Noble, before Barry curled the rebound over the bar from long range.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Everton\u2019s defence was struggling to deal with some glorious attacking play from the visitors, Lanzini, Payet and Antonio all threatening Robles in goal.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n However, Adrian was required to make a fantastic save from Barkley to ensure the score remained 0-0, stopping the midfielder\u2019s close range attempt with his right hand in the 26th minute.<\/p>\n The action died down as the half wore on, both teams still looking to attack but lacking in any real quality in the final third.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Adrian did well to push a Mirallas cross-cum-shot over the bar, and Funes Mori flashed a header wide from a corner as the Toffees started to control the game, but the last action of the half was a Hammers attack.<\/p>\n In the lone minute of injury time, Payet made space for himself wonderfully on the left flank, charging into the area, turning a defender and firing a shot at goal which Robles had to save.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n It was a thrilling half of football, and the second period started in the same manner.<\/p>\n Both teams had early corners, and just five minutes after the restart the hosts took the lead – Lukaku scoring in his seventh consecutive match against the Hammers.<\/p>\n Coleman forced a save from Adrian with a low strike from the right side of the area, but Bolasie was first to the rebound and sent a delicate ball back across the face of goal, with the Belgian striker there to head into the open net with ease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The goal gave renewed vigour to Everton, a series of attacks leading to a Barkley chance which flew high over the bar from outside the area.<\/p>\n Bilic responded to the goal by bringing on Andre Ayew, and he started to combine well with Antonio in the final third.<\/p>\n