Romelu Lukaku grabs 11-minute hat-trick as Everton stroll to win over Sunderland

Romelu Lukaku scored an 11-minute hat-trick for Everton against Sunderland to send Ronald Koeman’s men third in the Premier League.

The Belgian nodded home his first in the 60th minute – to end a 11-match league streak for his club without a goal – before scoring a second from Yannick Bolasie’s cross and adding another fine finish to complete his treble to seal another win for the Toffees.

Just 124 days after Sunderland defeated Everton comprehensively to secure their Premier League safety, the roles were reversed in emphatic style.

All eyes this time around were on David Moyes, but his search for his first league win as Sunderland boss goes on, as he again tasted defeat against his former employer.

After a cagey first half, Lukaku stepped up to show the travelling Toffees what they’d been missing since his last club goal, way back in March.

The supply was superb as Idrissa Gueye, Bolasie and Kevin Mirallas all brilliantly picked out Lukaku, who made no mistake on each occasion in those 11 minutes after the hour mark.

Sunderland offered very little as an attacking threat, with Koeman’s men comfortable once the deadlock had been broken.

The Toffees’ impressive start rolls on, as they now sit third, unbeaten with ten points from 12 available, while Moyes’s men languish down in 19th with just a solitary point to their name.

It was always going to be a tall order to emulate the achievements of Sam Allardyce last season, but David Moyes has endured somewhat of a baptism of fire on Wearside. The question is, have his experiences at Manchester United and during a difficult tenure in Spain caused lasting damage? His Sunderland side looked distinctly lacklustre, and another "Great Escape" at the end of the season may be required once again if such form continues.

Romelu Lukaku. Had to be him. Once he had that first goal to end his drought, the old, robust, combative Lukaku stepped up to the plate and caused problems once more. He took his chances well, and was an absolute menace throughout - a monumental return to form.

Sunderland: Pickford 7, Manquillo 6, van Aanholt 5, Djilobodji 5, Kone 5, Kirchhoff 6, Rodwell 5, Gooch 5, Januzaj 4, Watmore 5, Defoe 4. Subs: Denayer 5, Khazri 5, Ndong 5.

Everton: Stekelenburg 7, Baines 7, Jagielka 7, Williams 7, Coleman 8, Barry 7, Gueye 9, Bolasie 9, Barkley 5, Mirallas 7, Lukaku 9. Subs: Deulofeu 8, Kone N/A, Davies 6.

2’ - CHANCE! Early chance for Romelu Lukaku as the ball drops to him in the box, but Jordan Pickford is down quickly to smother.

13’ - SAVE! Pickford to the rescue for Sunderland again as Lukaku powers a header at goal after Bolasie had picked him out brilliantly. Super reflex stop from point-blank range.

54’ - CHANCE! Deulofeu breaks the offside trap over the top, his touch is heavy, which takes him away from goal, he works space well for the shot again, but Rodwell blocks well. From the rebound, Coleman fires powerfully at goal, Lukaku sticks out a leg, but he cannot divert it on target.

61’ - GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Everton. The drought is over, as Lukaku finds the net to break the deadlock. After 13 games without a goal, a goalless run stretching back to March for his club, Lukaku heads in to give the Toffees the lead. Great ball in from Gueye after Deulofeu had seen his pass cut out. Marking left much to be desired from the Sunderland defence.

64’ - WOODWORK! Lukaku looks like a man reborn. The imposing Belgian does well to stay on his feet on the edge of the box, makes space for a shot, but sees his powerful strike cannon back off the bar.

68’ - GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Everton. Brilliant from Bolasie to set up Lukaku, who nods home. You wait six months for a goal for your club, and then two come in eight minutes. Superb from Bolasie, who sashays his way through to get to the byline, before clipping a superb cross to the back post, where Lukaku is waiting to head home with ease.

71’ - GOAL! Sunderland 0-3 Everton. Hat-trick for Lukaku as he slots the ball home to surely secure three points for the Toffees. A third career treble for Lukaku, but it is all too easy for the visitors. Mirallas releases Lukaku, who races clear, just about beating the offside trap, before passing the ball into the bottom corner to net his third goal in 11 minutes!

73’ - SAVE! Bolasie is causing all sorts of problems with his pace and trickery. This time he makes space for the shot himself, which Pickford has to beat away.

83’ - CLOSE! Deulofeu again the danger, as he does well to carry the ball into box, patiently waits for time to shoot, but drags the ball just wide.