BURNLEY // It was back in February when Jose Mourinho, believing he was talking off the record, suggested his 32-year-old striker was officially 35. By his former manager’s estimation, Samuel Eto’o could be 36 now.
He is a footballer of advancing, perhaps even uncertain years, but he possesses a timeless appreciation of space and an enduring eye for goal.
Everton’s 3-1 win at Burnley on Sunday was a tale of two strikers at opposite ends of their careers. Romelu Lukaku offers potential in abundance and contributed his fourth goal of the season, although only after he had helped Burnley equalise.
The equation for Eto’o was altogether simpler. There was nothing in the debit column for the summer signing, while he emerged with plenty of credit.
“Everyone will speak about the goals, but I was so pleased with the performance he had today,” said manager Roberto Martinez. “He can give them a lot of aspects technically, tactically and physically.
“There’s few people who can teach things like Samuel due to his experience. He brings a real know-how and experience. Sometimes, you want to develop young players.”
He may be Lukaku’s mentor. He was also his superior at Turf Moor. Very different goals were equally good, a header of rare force and a whipped, bent finish. He was inches away from a hat-trick, rolling a shot against the post from an acute angle.
He was a class apart from Burnley, whose accomplishments in winning promotion from the Championship have exposed them to a higher calibre of opponent.
“The game was decided more or less on high-quality players deciding what high-quality players do,” said Sean Dyche, the Burnley manager.
Everton have footballers with that ability. His winless side do not.
“I like Samuel when he is in that type of form,” said Martinez.
His clinical touch was soon apparent. Leighton Baines’ fourth-minute cross was typically menacing, Burnley’s marking sadly lacking as Eto’o’s effort crashed in off the underside after the bar.
Lukaku restored Everton’s lead after the ubiquitous Eto’o was involved in the build-up. It enabled him to make amends after he helped Burnley equalise.
With a dreadful pass, he had found Lukas Jutkiewicz. He teed up his strike partner Danny Ings and the player of the year in the Championship last season rounded Tim Howard to open his account in the top flight.
“I loved the reaction from Rom,” Martinez added. “He was unhappy because he gave the ball away and we got punished, but rather than accepting it, he did something about it. It was incredible to see that.”
After Steven Naismith struck the woodwork, Eto’o completed the scoring with a wonderful shot from 25 yards. “What an incredible professional to have in a young group,” his manager added.
What a privilege it was to watch him rewind the clock.
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