Everton win Lukaku race, as West Brom find replacement at last

The chief reason why West Brom are bottom of the Premier League is because they haven’t managed to score in their opening three games. Alongside missing creativity in the wide areas, Romelu Lukaku looks sorely missed.

Lukaku hasn’t been replaced as yet after returning to Chelsea at the end of the last campaign with 17 goals in his Premier League locker from his loan stint at the Hawthorns.

The Belgian’s directness, speed and strength were among his chief attributes and have caught the eye of Roberto Martinez, who looks to have won the race to take him on loan to Everton for the remainder of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, in a type of roundabout, Lukaku’s arrival means that Victor Anichebe is not needed at Goodison Park and so will join West Brom in his own loan deal.

The pair are somewhat similar in their attributes, with the main difference being that Anichebe is more adept with his back to goal, while Lukaku is the bigger threat of the pair when running in behind.

Expecting Anichebe to even reach double figures at West Brom may be pushing it as his previous best league return is only six goals, but he will give the Baggies more of an attacking presence.

Scott Sinclair has already arrived on loan from Manchester City to supply some assists, while there is a strong possibility that a deal involving Stephane Sessegnon could be completed.

A front three of Sinclair, Sessegnon and Anichebe could be enough to see West Brom stay up and they are currently 10/3 to be relegated.

The goals will not come from Shane Long though, as he will be looking to help the survival chances of another club following the agreement of a £5m deal with Hull.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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