Romelu Lukaku overwhelmed the Saint defence. Jose Fontes came in for some merciless punishment.
Everton on the break were quite magnificent as they turned aside the Saints close to a scoring chance and from a corner the ball was zipped to Arouna Kone who galloped down the right and looking up found Romelu Lukaku entering the box. His curling cross was just a pinch behind but the big Belgian centreforward adjusted well to power his header past Marten Stekelenberg. Just before the first half, on another break Ross Barkley created Everton’s second goal by cutting away and finding Lukaku with cleverly sidefooted pass on his right to sweep home for his brace. Barkley then turned goalscorer late in the second half with an unstoppable finish.
In a very encouraging sign for the Toffees, the energetic Kone seems to have meshed well with Lukaku and with an assist and a goal in his first two matches has provided an instant impact. Phil Jagielka the veteran was the cornerstone of the Evertonian defence and Chelsea target John Stones was an able assistant. The Saints were looking lively till the goal by Lukaku after which they struggled to get a foothold on the game. There were plenty of no shows. Big man Graziano Pelle was a frustrated figure starved off quality service. Saido Mane, so slippery and strong was found wanting in his ball control. Shane Long was invisible.
We have long been admirers of the cat like Saints always finding their feet as the league’s bigger spenders poach their players shamelessly but this season may prove hard to right themselves. Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne being the latest departures from that standout squad. On the other hand, Everton in the first two matches look like they have plenty of goals, a stat hard to come by last season.