Stats

4 goals in 3 PL games already

He started more games for United the following season than he played at Sunderland. According to he ESPN statistics he started 23 PL games for United that following season after his loan while he was a sub/rested 7 times with the rest probably being through injury so he clearly was an important player for them. SAF integrated him into the team and he reaped the benefits because he was playing with better players and since that he has gradually become a better player. That is why while Lukaku will get goals on loan, playing for us would have done him good because he is around better players and would only get better and he would learn from his mistakes. But he came back here and could not get a start in 4 competitive fixtures so he obviously wanted to go out on loan which he thought was best for him. I am just disappointed that he never got a real chance to show what he could do this season at us. But I am confident that Mourinho sees Lukaku as an eventual key player for us in the oncoming seasons. I hope so anyway.

I think you are confusing Di Maria with Ozil. Di Maria loves to dribble with the ball and take on players. Also Mata and Oscar does not dribble that much, especially not compared to Di Maria. Di Maria is like Hazard IMO as they always look to take on players, cut inside, sometimes look for the killer pass but Hazard is right footed and Di Maria left footed. But yes, you have definitely got Ozil confused with Di Maria even though he actually does like to dribble.

He got into double figures the following season and while he has not scored much recently he is actually a good player. But what I am saying is our strikers are actually no better than Lukaku. Anyway he is not coming back for this season so will just have to support him on at Everton and hope our strikers hit form while he is on loan once again.

This. I hate how people believe he cannot hit it at us just because he scores at inferior teams and there is theory that he will struggle at us because teams defend deep. Look when Welbeck was loaned out to Sunderland 3 seasons ago. He done well in that season and only got 6 goals that season before he got injured but clearly done enough to convince Fergie to make him part of his plans the following season and he became an integral part of United's team, getting into double figures. I am sure teams defend deep against United right? Yet did that stop Welbeck from scoring? No. I hope he has another excellent season at Everton but he really should be here. Compare what Lukaku done at WBA and what Welbeck done at Sunderland. Lukaku scored much more and there would be no doubt once in his stride he would get goals here.

I would like to see that to but whether he will do that for this game, I do not know. I am guessing he will stick to Rami and Lamps as well and Eto'o will start 100%.

Quite a tough place to go but confident we will get the three points. Since they got promoted back to the PL we have drawn 0-0 and beat them 1-0 last season through a brilliant goal by Mata. So has not been much to separate the teams in previous meetings but hoping Mata inspires us to another victory on Sunday

While many of us would like Willian to start I really think Jose has his doubts about whether he is 100% match sharp yet so I doubt Mourinho will start him. I don't know if he will give Oscar a breather from the starting line up for this game and if he does I fear people's worse nightmare may happen again as I can easily see Mourinho putting Ramires on the RW with a pivot of Mikel and Lamps.

Just amazing what a performance can do to turn people's heads. I always believed in him and knew what he was capable of. He has got around double figures or near for the past 3 seasons and is only 22. Loads of years to improve and while people question his finishing it is clear that he can score as his record has shown. Give him time and that will come also. Just funny seeing the amount of comments before the game yesterday who believed that he was not capable of playing and should make way for KDB etc. Amazingly some people judged him on pre-season and used this as reason to show why he might flop here or used it as proof to show why KDB is a better player. Schurrle is suited to the PL because he is fast, direct and always looks to beat his man and is very fast on the ball. I am sure this is just the start. We will see him score a few this season, I am sure about that. Got 16 goals for club and country last season which is very decent. He has got years and years to keep improving and that is the great thing. Don't think Martin/Whittaker knows what is in store for them on Sunday

Those who slated Schurrle before the match started. Slap yourself now! Been excellent.

Eto'o looks so off the pace. Amount of pace he has lost is quite amazing!

Schurrle has been excellent. Running around their FB in circles. Nice!

That is so oblivious. You first stated Mikel was not even going to be part of his plans which you were proven wrong as he played a few games this season. Also don't be surprised when Mikel does start one of our next games.

You have a point in terms of makes us a bigger attacking threat but does it leave us vulnerable? Yes IMO. I like Lamps a lot but when Mikel and Ramires are as a partnership I feel more secure because Mikel will do his defensive duties and allow the likes of Ramires to roam forward. I know you might not like to hear but it expect to see Ramires and Mikel a lot this season.

Maybe but maybe Jose realises it is a game we need to win and therefore having 2 more attacking focused CM is better for the plan tonight. Mikel will start plenty of games. Whether that be with Lamps or Ramires or another CM, like it or not Jose will play him. What did you call it btw when Lamps was "dropped" against Everton?

"Keeps scoring goals in high profile game" is a bit of an overreaction. Come on....

No, he clearly was not being rested. That is rubbish. But like some have tried to explain, he was not the problem. Just that we needed to go for the game and Ramires and Lamps have that ability to score goals from open play where Mikel is more a defensive player and obviously it was likely that he would go of instead of Lamps or Ramires.

Yeah, really surprised that he did not take the penalty, extremely odd. Played the whole 90 mins. Made 2 goals and an assist and should of been able to get the hattrick. Confused...

But he is shining there ad playing and they are also winning games. He is a good prospect but if he can make an impact after a run of games then Lukaku certainly would have done the same with us.

Showed it all last night. Goals, link up play, creating, literally everything. 3 goals in 2 games for Everton already while none of our strikers have scored one PL goal. Arsenal give their talent chances and they have proved themselves. Look at Gnabry. They have a lot of injuries but once they give youngsters a chance they take it. I know certain managers work different ways but other managers from different clubs must laugh at us when we loan out a striker who does what he done last season, is loaned out again when he is clearly the best striker in our ranks. Arsenal wanted another striker with Giroud this season for additional firepower and had they had someone like Lukaku, that would be chase over, Giroud and Lukaku would fit the bill because he is quality and yet we loan out our best striker who clearly would be scoring goals once given a proper run in the team. Still shocked how we could not give him one start. Embarrassing thing is he will end up with more goals than all our strikers put together. While many are happy and complimenting his performance tonight there was no real surprise. It was obvious this is what he was going to end up doing and for those who said he is not ready to start, just look at tonight. He can make an impact of the bench and be equally good starting. Yes Torres but in a brilliant performance against Spurs but the question is will it go back to square 1 again where he is inconsistent and lacks the goals.which was the missing link against Spurs. There was several things that I was looking forward to this season and one of them was Lukaku coming back and being the answer to our striking problems but another mistake we will have to learn from again as this can be the difference between a title chase and not. But he is at Everton and we cannot change that so let's just relish the fact that he will end up with a bagful of goals this season and ready to be back as no.1 striker next season (hopefully).

Come on. Get the hattrick!

Nope. Once group stages squads are announced there are no changes until the knockout round I am afraid.

Essien is not in the squad for the group stages!!!

This. He did not take off Mikel because he was bad. He done it because he wanted to chase the game and yes I don't think anyone acknowledged that brilliant ball he created for Torres in the first half. Thanks for picking up on that. Said it last week but his long range passing is fantastic. Shame Torres could not finish it off.

They play in completely different positions.