Those of us who travelled to Upton Park on Saturday went there more in hope than expectation. The two teams both had three clean sheets from their four Premier League games, and had only managed to score one goal between them in their last six games combined. A dour stalemate was expected, but fortunately for the neutral we were served a juicy slice of stereotypical English football. The first half was a touch dour, with chances at a minimum, but left the spectator with a feeling that either team could still win. The second half was a blur of activity, goals, fouls, a red card, a penalty, two sumptuous free kicks and a toing and froing that saw one team take a hold, only for the other to suddenly ride a way of attacking impetus. Here are five things we learned from a thrilling encounter...
5. Chelsea Should Have Kept Lukaku
A huge difference, Sam Allardyce said, and he was right. The big Belgian, on loan from Chelsea, changed the game for Everton. Offering an attacking focal point both teams had lacked in the first half, Lukaku showed immense strength, a lovely touch, good passing vision and then the bravery and determination to head in the winner. The 20-year-old looked a giant amongst men no mean feat when you consider that James Collins and Reuben Reid, the West Ham centre backs, are hardly on the small side. Indeed, Reid picked up the home sponsor's man of the match award, for a stoic defensive display, but Lukaku was simply unplayable. Why Jose Mourinho let him leave on loan and retained Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o we have yet to see, but Lukaku was immense on his Toffees debut and will surely start at home to Newcastle next time out.