FLASHBACK: EVERTON 6-3 BOURNEMOUTH (2017)

Photo credit: Clive Brunskill (Getty Images)

Romelu Lukaku grabbed four as Everton triumphed over Bournemouth in a nine-goal thriller at Goodison Park.

It was the worst possible start for the Cherries as the formidable Lukaku scored just thirty seconds into the match with an exquisite strike from outside the area.

It was the Belgian’s cutback that was bundled home in fortunate circumstances by James McCarthy for his first of the season and just a few minutes later Lukaku capitalised on a Bournemouth mistake and his smart finish made it 3-0 with less than half an hour gone.

After Everton had cruised through the first half, they were given a scare in the second when a brace from the in-form Joshua King brought the scores back to 3-2 with 20 minutes still to play.

Fortunately for the Toffees, their outstanding centre forward came into his own in the final stages and his two quickfire goals on 83 and 85 minutes sealed the three points. It was Lukaku’s second hat-trick of the season.

Cherries midfielder Harry Arter did pull one back in untidy fashion on 90 minutes. Ross Barkley then made it 6-3 after rounding the keeper and holding his arms aloft in celebration before he’d even tucked the ball into the back of the net.

It was the perfect way for Ronald Koeman to celebrate his 100^th game in charge and the win was Everton’s sixth in their last eight as they edged even closer to potentially sealing a place in next season’s Europa League.

Meanwhile Eddie Howe’s side are without a win since the turn of the year and remain in 14^th, with the threat of relegation slowly becoming a more distinct possibility.

The Cherries’ leaky defence is at the root of their issues with this defeat bringing their conceded tally up to 34 in their last 13 matches.