Everton striker Romelu Lukaku believes he must have the instinct of a serial killer to score more goals after his hattrick.
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The Belgium global had gone 1,139 minutes without a competitive goal for the club before he nodded in Idrissa Gueye’s cross in the second half at the Stadium of Light on Monday.
The Black Cats’ comprehensive 3-0 defeat at the hands of Everton on Monday means they have yet to win a match in the Premier League this season in their opening four matches.
Lukaku has admitted he needs to maintain his form if the Merseyside outfit are to fulfil their ambitions for this season.
“That reaction came and, look, I know my players, I know the level that they can show against Sunderland and that was the level in the second half and not the first half”. They put in a couple of really good balls to pick people out from crosses but more importantly, for me, we weren’t in the right positions to defend the crosses.
David Moyes’ side were unable to cope with Everton’s pressure in the second 45 and are still searching for their first win of the campaign. “I think it was all about fitness levels”, he said.
“You have to be focused in the Premier League, and I’m thankful to Yannick [Bolasie] for setting me up”. We need more points and we are going to try to do that starting with Tottenham.
“I think we will be one of the teams who fight for European football”.
This was Lukaku’s second hat-trick in the Premier League and his first in the league for Everton.
‘I think we will be one of the teams that fight for European football. unless we played like we did in the first half, then maybe we’ll be fighting for 13th or 14th place, ‘ he quipped.
“I know it’s always hard for the manager because he was not selected for the national team and you take the player off after 45 minutes”.
Toffees manager, Ronald Koeman opted for a change at the start of the second half, as he introduced Gerard Deulofeu for Ross Barkley.
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“It’s good to have a bit of money but it’s also sometimes good to realise you’ve got to get out on to the training ground and teach players, build them into a team”. “But they have got a very good centre-forward in Lukaku”. “We are not going to be the biggest spenders, just like Everton weren’t, and it’s going to take time – at least three or four transfer windows”.
