Debutant had no idea he scored winner after team-mate hailed 'world class'

Snapped up on a season-long loan from Chelsea – he’d ultimately complete a permanent switch for a then club record £28million the following summer – on September 21, 2013, the Belgium international became the first player since World Cup final man-of-the-match Alan Ball, 47 years earlier, across London at Fulham, to net the winner on his Blues bow.

Lukaku revealed: “Seamus (Coleman) came up to me and I said: ‘Who scored?’ He said: ‘You did!’”

Of Lukaku’s instant impact, the ECHO’s Greg O’Keeffe wrote: “Everton’s deadline day business must rank as among the most effective of any top flight club. Lukaku’s arrival on September 2 got pulses racing, and that was nothing compared to the effect he had on this clash with Sam Allardyce’s well-drilled, defensively obstinate outfit.

“The Belgian’s introduction at half-time helped transform a game which was threatening to slip away from Everton. Suddenly the Blues attack had a dynamic cutting edge.

“Lukaku was direct, powerful and had James Collins and Co. worried from the moment he nearly created a chance with his first couple of touches. Then came his late goal – that barn-storming header which he does not remember, after he was knocked out cold in the process of scoring by a clash of heads with Joey O’Brien.

“If it wasn’t memorable for Lukaku, it certainly was for everyone else. This was a victory courtesy of many promising elements then, and not least (Roberto) Martinez – who was also so instrumental in keeping Baines and luring Lukaku to Goodison.”

Along with James McCarthy, Lukaku was one of a couple of half-time introductions as Steven Naismith and Nikica Jelavic made way. Before the new striker headed in the match-winner with six minutes to go, Everton had to equalise twice through a brace of Leighton Baines free-kicks.

Ravel Morrison put the hosts ahead on 31 minutes with a deflected effort after being picked out by Matt Jarvis. The Blues trailed until the 62nd minute when Baines fired in the first of his dead-ball brace.

Mark Noble restored the Hammers’ lead from the penalty spot on 76 minutes as McCarthy had dangled a leg out on Kevin Nolan but then the Irons’ home-grown hero was dismissed six minutes later for picking up a second booking.

Soon after, Baines struck again and O’Keeffe wrote of the Kirkby-born ace: “The defender’s flawless technique and swagger was Kevin Sheedy-esque, and his overall influence on Everton’s spirited fightback simply underlined why Bill Kenwright refused to entertain any offers for him from Manchester United during the summer.

“For the Blues he was unsaleable, for West Ham he was unplayable – at times arguably the best left-back in Europe is so good it is scarcely believable.”

Another of Everton’s summer on-loan recruits who would go on to join permanently, Gareth Barry also sang Baines’ praises.

Although the veteran England international had by this point settled into the engine room as a central midfielder, he had turned out at left-back himself earlier in his career and appreciated his ability.

Barry said: “I’ve seen from training with him at England and playing against him that Bainesy is a class act. You can put him in the world-class bracket when he’s doing things like that.

“Two free-kicks in exactly the same spot in different sides of the goal – there’s not too many players in the world who can do that. He’s not just got that ability to go forward and score penalties and free-kicks though.

“He’s so solid at the other end as well and if you speak to Sylvain Disitn I’m sure he loves playing alongside him for his defensive duties too. He’s been very consistent for a number of years.”