Three things we learned from Everton's comfortable 3-1 defeat of Middlesbrough

By Jake Jackman

Everton have had a great start under Ronald Koeman and their struggles at the end of last season now seem a lifetime away. The Dutchman has come in to the club and added players in key areas to great effect. The victory over Middlesbrough has given them a great platform to push on this season, with only Manchester City having a better start. Over the next few pages, here are three things we learned from their win against Middlesbrough.

Romelu Lukaku is back

The Belgian striker is not only scoring, but he looks happy and confident too. There were concerns about his attitude after a move failed to materialise this summer, with Chelsea being heavily linked, but he looks revitalised under Koeman.

The new manager’s biggest task was getting the powerful Belgian international back to playing at his best and he is well on his way to doing that. It was a huge call to not bring in another quality striker to compete with their main man up front, but it looks to be paying off – at least until injury or poor form strikes. Although Enner Valencia came on yesterday, he is unlikely to feature much whenever Lukaku is fit.

Against Middlesbrough, Everton’s number ten scored and assisted in another excellent forward display. There were doubts about whether he got a touch on the goal that he was awarded, but the movement was good and he is once again getting in the right positions at the right time. His link-up play is improving and with that, his side are looking more and more threatening.

During the opening three matches, Everton weren’t creating a huge amount of chances, which is why they didn’t stand out. Since the league re-started after the international break, Everton have looked like one of the most dangerous sides in the league and that is majorly down to the return to form of Lukaku. The other 19 teams in the league should be worried, because The Toffees look like a force once more.