WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/4/17)

Everton Forward Romelu Lukaku (4 goals)

It’s not often we see the type of performance in the Premier League that Everton’s Romelu Lukaku put together yesterday against Bournemouth. He was relentless from the opening kickoff, scoring the opening goal just 31 seconds into the game, which is the fastest goal in the Premier League this season. He scored again in the 29^th minute to put the hosts up 3-0. Bournemouth answered back with two second half goals to trim Everton’s lead to 3-2. With the Toffees in danger of letting the points slip away, Lukaku struck again in the 83^rd minute and once more in the 84^th minute. Everton would go on to win 6-3, a win that keeps them 7^th in the table and within striking distance of a berth in the Champions League.

Lukaku’s masterpiece vaulted him to the top of the Premier League leaders with 16 goals on the season. He is now just one goal shy of becoming Everton’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League. With 76 goals, he is already the highest scoring Belgian in the history of Europe’s top five leagues. Lukaku also became the 300^th person in Premier League history to register a hat trick. It was quite the day for the striker, who is still just 23 years old and has turned into one of the most elite goal scorers in the world since being sold by Chelsea in 2014. It remains to be seen just how long Lukaku will remain with Everton, who are a middle of the table club in the Premier league year after year. It’s safe to say there will be big teams calling during the summer transfer window, with perennial powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG, and possibly even Chelsea willing to pay a massive amount to acquire Lukaku’s services. Everton was able to fight off interest last summer, but as long as Lukaku continues to score goals, it will be harder and harder for them to hold onto their best player.