Everton: James Rodríguez scores first goal, Calvert-Lewin bags hat-trick
The Colombian is showing some of the class that was seen in his earlier days for Real Madrid, as The Toffees score five against promoted side West Bromwich.
Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez scored his first Premier League goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagged a hat-trick as Everton thrashed 10-man West Bromwich Albion 5-2 at Goodison Park on Saturday.
James Rodríguez first, DC-L hat-trick
West Brom started brightly and opened the scoring through Grady Diangana, but when Calvert-Lewin equalised following an intervention from the Video Assistant Referee, Everton took control.
They scored five goals in 35 minutes as West Brom capitulated following a needless red card for defender Kieran Gibbs. Rodriguez whipped Everton in front from the edge of the box, and Michael Keane and Calvert-Lewin ensured it was two wins from two in the Premier League so far this season.
It all started well for the visitors when Diangana fired past home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after running 60 metres for his first top-flight goal, and they might have been 2-0 up when Jake Livermore struck a post. Everton found an equaliser through Calvert-Lewin's clever close-range back heel that was initially disallowed for offside, a decision over-ruled by VAR as the touch into the striker's path came via a slight deflection off West Brom defender Darnell Furlong.
The home side were in front just before halftime as Richarlison wriggled past a couple of challenges before feeding Rodríguez, who speared a low drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Gibbs was sent-off shortly afterwards and could have no complaints as he pushed Rodriguez in the face, while Baggies boss Bilic was similarly punished by referee Mike Dean for his vehement complaints at halftime. West Brom equalised minutes into the second period with a free-kick of real quality from Matheus Pereira, but Michael Keane restored Everton’s lead with a tap-in after the ball fell loose in the box following Lucas Digne’s free-kick.
Rodríguez's delightful pass then put Richarlison behind the West Brom defence and his cross was bundled over the line by Calvert-Lewin. The striker completed his hat-trick with a header from Digne’s corner as Everton threatened to run riot. The home side appeared sloppy at times compared with their 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in their season opener, but they have continued to improve dramatically from last season.
For West Brom, however, eight goals conceded in two games shows the measure of their task since winning promotion to the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin enjoying James influence
The striker’s eye-catching form for Everton has been reminiscent of some of the club’s other great number nines, but he is not getting carried away after back-to-back wins at the start of the Premier League campaign. With a vastly improved midfield that includes Colombian playmaker James, Everton created 32 goal attempts in their opening two matches, with four of them converted by Calvert-Lewin.
"You look at the quality we have got on the ball, it was important we utilised the extra man," the striker told SkySports after the West Brom win. "We created space and chances, and I was happy to be in the box to tap them in."
Calvert-Lewin hailed the impact of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is helping him hone his predatory instincts in the box.
"He’s on me every day for one-touch finishes and being in the box to put the ball in the back of the net. It’s nice to know that what I am working on in training is coming off."
The England junior international is delighted to have James in the side, who he hopes will help him push for a first senior cap in the not too distant future.
"He has played at the highest level and you can see the quality he has. He has settled right into the team and the Premier League. It has not been too difficult for him.
"But it’s important not to get carried away. I just need to keep taking care of business, scoring goals and playing well, and the rest will take care of itself."