Romelu Lukaku scored a record-breaking 60th Premier League goal as Everton comfortably saw off Sunderland.

In a frustrating first half the Blues struggled to make the breakthrough until Idrissa Gueye opened his account by rifling home a Seamus Coleman cross.

Lukaku doubled the advantage and equalled Duncan Ferguson’s club-record tally after winning a foot race with former Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo.

The win saw Ronald Koeman’s side extend their unbeaten league run to nine games and maintained pressure in the hunt for a European qualification place.

Here are the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Scrappy more vital than comfortable

 

Much like the recent stalemate with Middlesbrough, this result is unlikely to be one that many will look back on with any real fondness.

For the most part it was a scrappy affair, with the quality from both sides, especially in the final third, severely lacking.

Despite that, though, this result will give Koeman plenty of pleasure. Earlier this season, this would have been a game the Blues would have contrived to lose.

They did not and much like the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace back in January, found a way to make sure all three points were theirs.

That is a good trait to have and one that they will need to continue to demonstrate in the remainder of this season as they hunt down a top six place.

Barkley continues to improve

 

Koeman had been full of praise for Ross Barkley earlier this week, revealing that a pep talk had sparked the midfielder’s recent upturn in form.

The Everton manager was again vindicated in that praise, with Barkley putting in another quality display as the outlet between his side’s midfield and attack.

He performed the role of chief creator behind Lukaku superbly, so much so he was given a standing ovation when he was taken off late in the second half.

Barkley’s confidence is well and truly back, and Koeman, as well as Evertonians the world over, will be hoping it stays that way for the foreseeable future.

England call-ups beckon for Blues duo

 

Barkley was not the only England hopeful affording Gareth Southgate some food for thought as he sat in the stands at Goodison.

The Wavertree-born player’s exile from the national team should come to a swift end next month when the squad to face Germany and Lithuania are announced.

But the performances of Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman will also have caught Southgate’s eye as the former showed a maturity that belied his age.

A cross-field ball to Coleman culminated in Gueye’s opener while he could have scored himself had the woodwork not denied a stunning half-volley from distance.

Although Lookman was not as influential on proceedings as his earlier Everton outings, his all round performance should not be ignored.

If Southgate selects his next squad based on what he saw here, it would not be surprising to see at least two of the home-grown trio in his 23-man group.

Lukaku now officially an Everton great

 

There is no longer a debate about Lukaku’s merits, or perceived lack of them.

He may not run around like Tomasz Radzinski but there is a far illustrious company of Everton marksmen in which the Belgium international now finds himself.

A 60th Premier League goal, equalling the club’s all-time tally in the modern era, came despite a frustrating afternoon and with it came a touching moment.

Lukaku singled out Duncan Ferguson, the man who also shares the record, on the Goodison touchline for a warm embrace as he celebrated the milestone.

The Scot’s achievements as a player have helped him remain a legend to the blue half of Merseyside, and Lukaku should deservedly received that equal recognition.