Striker lifts Everton to win over Newcastle

A stunning first-half performance by striker Romelu Lukaku guided Everton to a 3-2 home victory over Newcastle on Monday to lift his side to fourth and maintain the Premier League’s only unbeaten record.

The 20-year-old Belgian, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, scored twice, set up a goal for teenager Ross Barkley and also had two efforts disallowed for offside in the first 45 minutes. Second-half goals by Yohan Cabaye after 51 minutes and Loic Remy a minute from time gave the visitors hope, but they were largely outplayed. Everton was ahead after five minutes when the pace of Kevin Mirallas on the right took him clear of the Newcastle cover and he crossed for Lukaku to side-foot home. The striker scored again after 25 minutes when he burst from midfield and fed Barkley, the 19-year-old slipping the ball past two defenders and beyond goalkeeper Tim Krul from 18 meters (59 feet). Reuters