How Sweet It Is

Everton surged to the top of the table with their second consecutive win to start the season; with a comprehensive 5-2 demolition job on newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion. This was another fine; confident performance from the Toffee-men; who now look to dream on to even bigger things and perhaps a dark horse for the championship contender.

But things did not start exactly to plan. Somehow the confident passing game they established at Tottenham wasn't apparent from the start; and it was WBA who shocked all by taking the lead; with left-winger Grady Diangana allowed to surge for miles on end before scoring sweetly past Jordan Pickford.

Everton were momentarily stunned; but managed to equalise when Seamus Coleman's teasing cross from the right caused some mayhem in the WBA box; and Dominic Calvert-Lewin managed to smartly back-heel the ball in from close range. Even though it was initially ruled out for offisde; the VAR correctly ruled it legit as the ball had come off Darnell Furlong & not Richarlison before landing at Calvert-Lewin.

Things looked even better for Everton when their star signing James Rodriguez produced a moment of magic just before half-time to give them the lead; unleashing a left-foot corker out of the blue to stun the WBA defence. And the drama started to heat up when moments later; his rather nonchalant budge on Kieran Gibbs was met with a WWE-style punch to the face that floored the Colombian and saw Gibbs receive a straight red. Even more drama ensued after the half-time whistle; as former Everton legend Slaven Bilic took his consternations to new levels and was also shown red by the departing referee...

The game looked well set for Everton; but there was to be a further twist to the tale. The other flair winger for WBA; Matheus Pereira produced an absolute peach of a free-kick to stun the Everton faithful and make it 2-2. But just as Slaven Bilic was starting to sit up again; Everton scored again to edge in front. Another lovely free-kick from Lucas Digne saw Richarlison's header saved by Sam Johnstone; but it was Michael Keane who reacted first to score the rebound. It was another case of set-piece prowess from the Toffees and some more poor defending from the Baggies.

As Everton continued their passing game against the ten men; three became four; as another lovely lobbed pass from Rodriguez saw Richarlison clear with the 'keeper to beat. He smartly passed to his right for Calvert-Lewin to tap home his second of the night. And the young striker was not done yet; producing another superb inverse-header from Rodriguez's corner to grab his first-ever hat-trick. That goal was the perfect symbol for Everton this season; a team confident; committed and on the rise.