Romelu Lukaku’s 19th goal of the season gave Everton a 2-1 advantage in their Capital One Cup Semi-Final first leg against Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Toffees take a slender, one-goal lead to the Etihad Stadium on 27th January, with just 90 minutes standing between them and a long-awaited return to Wembley Stadium.In a high-octane affair, Funes Mori put the home side in front in first-half stoppage time, shortly after John Stones and Lukaku had strikes ruled out for offside.
It was all Everton at the restart, with City’s only real efforts on goal coming from Sergio Aguero - who missed from 10 yards out - and Kevin De Bruyne, who saw his shot tipped round the post by Joel Robles.
The 2014 champions’ seemingly unlikely breakthrough came against the run of play, when Aguero broke up the field from an Everton attack and found Jesus Navas, who slotted home an equaliser.Romelu Lukaku. Match winner. 19th strike of the season. ⚽️⚽️⚽️ Goal machine ⚽️⚽️⚽️ #CapitalOneCuppic.twitter.com/Myvq2OmFaX
— Capital One Cup (@CapitalOne_Cup) January 6, 2016
But the sides were only level for a matter of minutes, and Gareth Barry’s pin-point cross found the head of Lukaku, who sparked jubilant scenes at Goodison Park with the match winner.