Ronald Koeman’s Everton extended their unbeaten start to the season to five games, as a hat trick from Romelu Lukaku put Sunderland to the sword on Monday night.

Sunderland, now under the tenure of former Blues boss David Moyes, struggled to cope with the intensity of a rampant away side in the second half.

The result lifts Everton to third in the Premier League table and positivity is high within the club as they look to continue their strong form.

Here are four things we learned from the Stadium of Light.

Lukaku looks in the mood

Belgian international Lukaku opened his account for the season in impressive style against the Black Cats, with a forceful display.

He was unlucky not to score twice in the first half, with a header excellently saved by Jordan Pickford, before turning a Seamus Coleman delivery wide.

However there was to be no such profligacy in the second period, with a pair of powerful headers from Idrissa Gueye and Yannick Bolaise deliveries, before a solo goal, all in the space of eleven minutes.

Lukaku was linked with a move away from Goodison Park all summer, and his decision to remain was greeted with huge optimism at the club. At times last season he was criticised for a lack of effort, but if he can maintain this form all season he can drive the Toffees towards European qualification.

Bolaise will not be wildcard option

The transfer of Bolaise from Crystal Palace was the Blues marquee piece of business this summer, and the Congolese international looks set for a key role this season.

Bolaise clearly has the raw materials to be one of the leading attacking midfielders in the Premier League, and he is showing the early signs of the consistency he needs to be a success on Merseyside.

His pace and trickery caused problems for Sunderland all night, and his delivery for Lukaku’s second goal showed the end product that will be vital for Everton this season.

The Toffees have struggled for consistent options in wide areas in recent seasons, with a number of combinations tried, but a weapon in the mould of Bolaise playing regularly will bring the best from Lukaku.

Gueye shows midfield drive

The purchase of Gueye in the summer was with the view of adding greater defensive steel to the Blues midfield, alongside the attacking talents of Ross Barkley and James McCarthy.

However his performance against Sunderland showed a willingness and capability to get forward and influence games from higher up the pitch.

Tenacity to win the ball is a clear part of his game, but his passing and excellent cross for Lukaku’s opener demonstrated his ability to be a creative force as well as a destructive one.

Age is just a number for defensive duo

Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams continued their developing centre back partnership with an assured display to shut out Jermain Defoe and his Sunderland teammates.

With a combined age of 66, there were concerns at the start of the season as to whether Everton had enough pace and energy in defence, particularly following the exit of John Stones.

However captain Jagielka and former Swansea skipper Williams recorded back-to-back clean sheets against Sunderland and their aerial ability and defensive nous will be invaluable to the young Everton team in front of them.