Mourinho's Striking Dilemma Heightened by Unplayable Lukaku
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's judgement was called into question once again as Romelu Lukaku scored twice and produced a man-of-the-match display as Everton swatted away Newcastle United with a thorough first-half display at Goodison Park.
Lukaku, on a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge, scored twice and set up another for Ross Barkley to hand the Toffees a three-goal advantage at the break, a lead which despite second half efforts from Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy, was enough for the hosts to remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season.
After scoring his first goal for Everton against West Ham United since moving to Goodison Park on deadline day, Lukaku enjoyed a sparkling evening on his home debut as he recaptured the form he showed while at West Bromwich Albion last term.
This season represents the second which Lukaku has spent on loan from Chelsea, after scoring 17 Premier League goals for West Brom in the 2012/13 campaign - more than both Demba Ba and Fernando Torres.
Mourinho, who returned to Chelsea this summer after leaving Real Madrid had stated in his opening press-conference that both Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne, who had spent the previous 18 months on loan at Genk and Werder Bremen, would be involved in the first-team upon his re-appointment.
However, the Portuguese boss, who possesses as reputation for marginalising a club's young players, has since changed his tune, allowing Lukaku to join Everton while De Bruyne, who had begun the season as a regular starter, has been condemned to training with the club's Under-21 side.
Furthermore, Mourinho signed Samuel Eto'o, with whom he worked with at Inter Milan, to give a vote of no confidence to Lukaku's ability to lead Chelsea on four fronts this season.
Everton are as a result reaping the benefits of Mourinho's poor decision-making, which has already been called into question following early-season defeats to Everton and FC Basel in the Champions League.
Roberto Martinez meanwhile is delighted to have Lukaku on board and has defended Chelsea's decision to loan the 20 year old.
"You need to remember the strikers Chelsea have," said Martinez.
"They are a squad that has phenomenal talent up front. Romelu is still developing and the next step is to take what he did last season on to another level. We are just glad that we can have him.'
"He (Lukaku) is strong and powerful, but for a No 9 to have that awareness around him - technically he is gifted. At times he was unplayable and that that means he opened spaces for others.
"We need to get to know him. In the second half against West Ham he showed what he could do and tonight he looked at home."
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