Yesterday Romelu Lukaku led West Brom against the in-form Southampton team who were on a 6 match unbeaten run. Former Chelsea coach and current West Brom boss, Steve Clarke, utilized Lukaku on the left side of the attack, using Shane Long in the centre and Marc-Antoine Fortune on the right and within minutes of the game starting, the young Belgian striker was in on goal only to be denied by a smart save by Boruc in the Saints’ goal. West Brom were not to be denied an early goal though and naturally Lukaku was the provider, gaining an assist on the goal, as he headed Dorran’s corner down for Fortune to bundle the ball over the line for the first goal.
Lukaku continued to be a handful for the Saints defense who have improved massively under new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, as the Chelsea loanee made numerous runs in behind them, sent in several useful crosses for his team-mates and had a number of good shots on goal. Watching the game you just knew it was a matter of time until Lukaku, who is one of the leading contenders for PFA Young Player of the Year, got himself on the score-sheet and so it proved.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with both teams playing some good stuff but it was West Brom and Lukaku who were clearly the better side and on the 66 minute mark, Fortune sent the big Belgian forward in on goal and he did not disappoint as he took the ball in his stride and rounded Boruc in the Southampton goal before coolly depositing the ball in the net with a composed left foot finish for his 14th League goal of the campaign.
Lukaku was not finished for the day as he again turned provider, assisting on West Brom’s 3rd goal as he laid the ball on for Shane Long to finish from deep in the penalty area and seal an impressive 3-0 win for the Baggies who have had a great first season under Steve Clarke sitting in 8th place only 6 points behind Liverpool in 7th with a game in hand.
Jerome Thomas then came on to replace Lukaku who received the by now customary ovation from the West Brom faithful who showered the young Belgian forward with applause for producing another scintillating performance.
Steve Clarke has said that he would love to keep Lukaku for another season as his team will have a big hole to fill if he leaves and will have to replace the 14 league goals the Belgian has provided. As the DailyMail reported, West Brom will proceed with their own plans assuming that Lukaku will spend pre-season with Chelsea before a decision is taken as to whether he will be loaned out again. Clarke said recently, ‘I’d love him to stay with us. But we have to prepare for life without him. He likes it here and he’s been nominated for young player of the season which tells you that he has been successful with us.’
Clearly Lukaku has proven he belongs in the Premier League and based on the recent Poll we ran on ChelseaNews.com Chelsea fans think that Lukaku deserves a chance with his parent club next season and I have to agree. Lukaku is definitely ready for anything including the Champions League, assuming Benitez can deliver a top 4 finish.