Romelu Lukaku struck four times as Everton moved just outside the top six with a 6-3 win over Bournemouth.

The Belgian recorded his 12th Premier League goal of the season within 31 seconds at Goodison Park with a curled shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Excellent work from Lukaku was key to James McCarthy doubling the hosts’ advantage as he was teed up by the Blues’ no.10 just 22 minutes later.

Six minutes later, provider turned poacher again as Lukaku found himself back on the score sheet after pouncing on a poor back pass from Simon Francis.

Two second half goals from Joshua King pulled the Cherries back into the game but Lukaku went on to grab a further two to put the game beyond doubt.

Ross Barkley completed the rout and an emphatic ten-minute spell of Everton dominance in stoppage time as he rounded Artur Boroc before stroking home.

Here were the key talking points from the nine-goal thriller:

Koeman’s options are impressive

 

In a busy January transfer window, it was departures that ruled the day at Goodison Park.

Five first-team squad members left while only two arrived. Despite that, it seems Ronald Koeman’s options have somehow been increased rather than depleted.

This game was a demonstration of that fact.

Dropping Kevin Mirallas, Mason Holgate and Tom Davies from the starting line-up, the Everton manager was able to bring in Ademola Lookman, James McCarthy and Gareth Barry in their place.

Those decent options and the fact that Idrissa Gueye was left on the substitutes’ bench shows the strength in depth that the Blues have at their disposal.

With those impressive options comes a flexibility to swap formations and systems as Koeman wishes. The Dutchman swapped to a 4-3-2-1 for the start of this game and was rewarded with a superb first half display.

When things went awry in the second half, he changed back to his favoured 5-3-2 and that allowed his team to regain control and seal all three points.

That adaptability of this team is exciting and likely to become a key component moving forward.

Defensive pairing needs work

 

Focus will likely be on the six goals scored in the aftermath of this, and Everton’s general attacking prowess.

However, the defence should not escape scrutiny and the work from Ashley Williams and Ramiro Funes Mori left much to be desired.

Williams was caught out on more than one occasion while Funes Mori was rash in his decision-making and a liability for much of the game.

Indeed, the situation got so bad that Koeman introduced Mason Holgate in the second half in an attempt to stop Bournemouth snatching an equaliser.

He was a world-class defender in his day and will have serious reservations about his own centre back pairing following this game. Improvement is needed.

Blues finally show their clinical side

 

The Everton manager had headed into the game discussing how his side becoming more clinical was the next step in their footballing development.

They had failed to take several chances to secure all three points against Stoke City in midweek; something that frustrated the manager and Evertonians alike.

It seems his players finally heeded his message as they demonstrated a ruthless side to their game that many were guilty of believing they did not possess.

Three shots on target yielded three goals in the first 35 minutes, while they would finish the game with ten shots on target and six goals in total.

That’s a far cry from the profligate Everton sides of the past.

Europe is still a possibility

 

After defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup ended all avenues of silverware, many disenfranchised fans were quick to declare the season a total write-off.

Fast-forward a month and a winning January in the Premier League coupled with a strong start to this month means the campaign is far from finished.

After this result, Everton now sit just two points behind Manchester United in sixth in fifth while Liverpool are only six points ahead in fourth.

Given the current slide in form across Stanley Park and the inconsistency of Jose Mourinho’s side, a European spot is a very distinct possibility for the Toffees.

If they keep up this current pace, few would back against them securing one.