Romelu Lukaku claims cupping his ear to Everton fans was ‘just banter’ as he celebrates Manchester United goal against former club
Manchester United striker sparks social media row after winding up Toffees supporters as the Prem leaders win 4-0
ROMELU LUKAKU came back to taunt his old side – but claimed it was “just banter”.
Manchester United’s new £75million goal machine cupped his hands and ran towards Everton fans after scoring in the Premier League leaders’ 4-0 home win.
That sparked a social media row as supporters argued over both Lukaku’s treatment from Toffees supporters and his response towards them.
Lukaku told Sky Sports: “It was just a bit of banter, I missed a free-kick and they booed me so I was happy to score.
“It’s just another goal really. I’m really happy with the win so we stay top of the league.”
Some Everton fans had booed their former hero from the start, notably when he missed a sitter.
And he was roundly jeered when he drilled a 20-yard free-kick into the visitors’ wall on 89 minutes.
But within seconds the Belgium frontman stabbed the ball home – and promptly gestured with his ears towards the away supporters.
That was merely the middle of a dreadful spell for the Toffees as minutes earlier Lukaku had teed up Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the first of United‘s three late goals.
So Everton supporters were hardly in a forgiving mood when Lukaku bagged his fifth goal in his first Prem games for Jose Mourinho’s men.
One tweeted of the hitman’s response: “Winding up the fans that cheered you. Utterly classless.”
But another fan summed up the opposite view: “Man Utd gave [Wayne] Rooney the reception he deserves. If the Everton fans were the same it would be a different story. Shows the class of the fans.”
Veteran Rooney, meanwhile, enjoyed contrasting emotions to Lukaku.
The ex-England skipper was taken off in a heavy defeat against his former club, just before United’s late triple burst added flattering gloss to their victory.
Nonethless, Lukaku insisted: “We could have scored more in the first half.
“We weren’t clinical enough. Everton created problems in midfield and the manager gave us tips at half-time of how to sort it.
“In second half, Everton had a lot of control but quality was the difference in the end.”
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