Sunderland 0-3 Everton: Lukaku ends goals drought in style

Romelu Lukaku scored an 11-minute hat-trick to end his goals drought as Everton maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a win at Sunderland in the Premier League.
Since scoring twice in the FA Cup quarter-final against his former side Chelsea on 12 March, the 23-year-old had gone 1,139 minutes without a goal, despite 40 efforts.
He had not scored for his Club in 1,139 minutes but Lukaku’s 11-minute hat-trick was only what he and Everton deserved. Sunderland made the Blues fight, of course, but the visitors – and Lukaku – proved overpowering and the demolition reflected dominance that was established long before the finish. Joint second alongside Chelsea in the embryonic Premier League table is a solid start.
Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman made his first start of the season for the Toffees, having returned for his country in last week’s World Cup qualifier in Serbia. He was the only change to Ronald Koeman’s side. Inevitably, it was a highly-charged atmosphere at the Stadium of Light and an emotional minute’s applause for five-year-old Bradley Lowery in the fifth minute to acknowledge his brave battle with cancer only increased the volume and intensity.
Seeking their first win of the campaign, the Black Cats were suitably fired up and dangerous but it was the visitors who struck first.
The Belgium striker netted his first club goal since March with a header from Gerard Deulofeu's cross, then nodded home Yannick Bolasie's delivery.
Lukaku ensured three points for his side with a low finish after running clear. Jermain Defoe shot over for Sunderland, who are yet to win in the league under former Toffees manager David Moyes.
His previous hat-trick in the Premier League had been for West Bromwich Albion against Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson's final game as United manager. He almost made it four, too, firing narrowly over the bar as Sunderland’s resistance disintegrated in the face of Everton’s overwhelming attack, with Bolasie having a shot well-saved by Pickford who will have been relieved not to have conceded more in the end.
With only one point from the first four matches, only Stoke's inferior goal difference keeps Sunderland off the bottom of the table. The victory was Everton's third from their opening four games and they climb to third.