Kevin Mirallas believes Romelu Lukaku could prove the missing link in Roberto Martinez’s bid to lead Everton back into Europe.

Everton boss Martinez more than made up for the loss of Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United by landing a hat-trick of deadline-day signings in £13million buy James McCarthy and on-loan duo Lukaku and Gareth Barry. While McCarthy’s energy and distribution and Barry’s vast experience will bolster Everton’s midfield, it’s Lukaku’s firepower that could prove decisive in their quest for honours, according to Mirallas.

After opting for Everton ahead of West Brom on Monday night, Lukaku described how a glowing recommendation from Belgium team-mate Mirallas had helped him make up his mind. Speaking ahead of Belgium’s World Cup qualifier with Scotland on Friday night, Mirallas made it clear he believes his sales pitch could reap its rewards at Goodison Park this season.

‘I was with Romelu in his room at the team hotel on Monday night, and I only left when I was sure he was joining us,’ said Belgium’s Everton winger. ‘I was surprised to learn we were in for him, because there had been no inkling, but once I got word, I really went to work.

‘I just tried to convince him that Everton was the right step to take and he would love it at Goodison, and I’m really pleased he took it on board. With Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o all jostling for places up front at Chelsea, and Romelu likely to be on the bench, it made sense to go out on loan again. It made even more sense to choose Everton, and I’m delighted he has.

‘There is plenty of competition for places at our club, and we are looking strong, but we do need someone we can rely on for goals. We have been having trouble scoring, but I am sure Romelu is going to help in that department and make a big difference to us.

‘There have been stories about Marouane leaving since June, so it is perhaps surprising it only happened on the last day. We will miss him, but you have to say he has certainly earned his dream transfer.’

SOS

The youngster Ross barkley look pretty good, i like him:)

"He is one of the most talented footballers in Spanish football," said Martinez.

Everton were widely regarded as a side that were functional and effective under David Moyes, so when the Scotsman left for Manchester United Toffees fans could be forgiven for feeling downhearted.

The Merseysiders were forced into a change at the top, but it's proving that it may just have been exactly what they need at exactly the right time. It was a drastic one too, and there were large sections of the support which questioned the validity of appointing a manager who had just seen his side relegated from the Premier League.

In truth though, Roberto Martinez had his Wigan side playing beyond what many would have felt they were capable of, culminating in an FA Cup final win over Manchester City. His side were open and expansive, which led to an abundance of goals at both ends of the pitch. The Latics scored just eight goals fewer than sixth-placed Everton last season, but conceded 33 more goals.

For a side that prided itself on its defensive solidity, the decision didn't add up for some. However, 14 games into the current campaign and fresh from a first league win at Old Trafford in over 20 years - against the man that he replaced no less - it's fair to say that Martinez has won his doubters over.

Moyes set his Everton side up in a very specific way. He utilised what he considered to be his key assets to the fullest and it worked. The left side of the pitch was absolutely crucial to their play, with the combination of Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar able to work opportunities for the former to pick out a target man - more often than not Marouane Fellaini - in the box. They did this whilst remaining strong at the back, so you could have forgiven Martinez for running with that game plan.

The loss of Fellaini, who followed Moyes to United, may have played its part but the Spaniard was never likely to copy and paste his predecessor's way of thinking. Martinez's task was to add new dimensions to their attack and possession play without compromising their defensive rigidity.

It's something that he went about achieving with intelligent advances into the transfer market. The defence was all but set in stone but in adding more protection in front of them he could allow his attacking players to be more expansive; no side has completed more dribbles per game this season (12.9) after Everton ranked 15th in the same category last time around (5.3). The signings of James McCarthy and, in particular, Gareth Barry were as important to the adaptation as that of Romelu Lukaku on deadline day.

The side's average tackles per game has risen, albeit slightly, from 18.9 to 19.9, and Lukaku's influence has seen their shot accuracy increase to 38.5% from 32.7% (now the fourth best in the league). In terms of playing style they're keeping the ball better, connecting with 83.3% of their passes - up from 79.4% - and averaging 56.5% possession - up from 52.9%.

They're less reliant on individuals, with Baines a case in point. Last season the left-back delivered the most accurate crosses per game in the league (2.8) but that figure is now way down at 1.1, ranking 27th. Meanwhile, the full-back also created the second most chances per game (3.1), with the drop to 1.3 this season even more significant (down to 52nd).

His average for the latter, in fact, is now equal to that of Seamus Coleman on the opposite side, and the Irishman's combination with Kevin Mirallas down the right flank is now just as important as the partnership across the field. The team looks more balanced in turn and the focus on the collective is paying off. More players are being given the opportunity to flourish in the current system, and they are doing exactly that.

With the Toffees sitting just three points behind second-placed Chelsea and having lost the fewest games this season (1) their charge for Champions League football seems more legitimate than ever.

SOS

After Moysie cabut to MU, MU play like Everton. Martinez come to Everton, thought wouild play like Wigan, but instead power up level to passing and attacking football. On top of that , only lost one game to Mancity in which Barry din play due to loan agreement. When Barry plays, they havent lost. Now, they really can compete and play against any top sides in the league like no fear. Now the pundits and media starts to give recognition to Everton.
I really think this year is Everton's year. Top 4 finish and a silverware. Very great job to Martinez and lads.  smile.gif
What do you all fans think ? Any comment.

yea~ quite happy & excited with the team play so far.. DM sometimes might be too cautious & sometime may apply too defensively in tactic, which quite bored sometimes (honestly, i felt into sleep during the newcastle match).. meanwhile, RM is more open with attacking mind, in which he was the founder who introduce the philosophy into the Swansea team when he was in player-manager position.. maybe this is the different between the past experience as defender vs midfielder..

Personally, i oso want DM to b success, #berdiritegang... bcuz he's one of the factors that lead me to support the Toffees.. hopefully he won't feel burden & become the next LFC "Roy Hodgson".. & of coz, no mercy when meet up, or when they r above us.. my daydream league position is 1st Eve & 2nd MU.. possible?? haha...

as important as Lukaku & Deulofeu's loan deal, i think Barry has quietly done a great & dirty job by protecting the centre backs & allow the youngsters (especially Barkley) to have more adventure in attacking.. his experience & position awareness is at top-class level... hopefully he will join back after his MC contract deal expire at the end of the season.. & oso hope he can play as fit as Distin, who has already 36 yo & still playing like 26 yo.. LOL~~


if we can play every matches like the first 30 mins at Arsenal, Top 4 can be the target to achieve.. in fact, tat's RM's goal for this season.. but the season is only halfway... still long way to go... the competition is tight & anything could happen within this x'mas boxing days.. hopefully RM can bring in few more players to add more depth into the squad during Jan transfer.. COYB!