Half-Time Report: Romelu Lukaku fires Everton into narrow lead

Romelu Lukaku has fired Everton into a slender 1-0 half-time lead over West Ham United at Goodison Park this afternoon.

It took the best part of 19 minutes for the clash to throw up a goalscoring chance when Steven Naismith latched on to Seamus Coleman's cut-back pass, but the Scot blazed over the bar from close range.

The Toffees continued in the same vein and found their reward on 27 minutes, with Lukaku controlling the ball on his chest to fire past Adrian.

First, Morgan Amalfitano dragged his shot wide from outside the box, before Andy Carroll - making his first of the season - hooked over from close range.

The Belgian hitman thought he had doubled his and his side's tally on the day but the goal was disallowed for offside, with replays showing that it was the right decision.

West Ham continued to threaten an equaliser but the half-time whistle came too soon for them.