His perfectly placed header opened the scoring.
For the second time this week, Romelu Lukaku found the back of the net with a perfectly placed header. After his winner against Bournemouth in midweek, the Belgian striker broke the deadlock at the Hawthorns.
Mourinho’s men added a second goal after Jesse Lingard’s shot took a wicked deflection to deceive Ben Foster in the West Brom goal. After being introduced at half-time, Gareth Barry reduced the deficit.
This being said, Lukaku’s refusal to celebrate for the second time in a week got people talking. Gary Neville suggested in commentary that Lukaku might have been showing some respect for the club that he played for on loan, but it’s worth noting that Lukaku celebrated wildly when he scored for Everton at the Hawthorns.
At half-time, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness had his own opinion on the matter: “I think it’s because of the criticism he’s been getting. I mean, I’m a fan. I think he’s playing in a team where he’s not getting a lot of cute and clever passes for him to run on to. These are goals (the header today and the one against Bournemouth) that he has had to manufacture himself.”
In studio alongside Souness was Jamie Redknapp and he was more critical of the Belgian striker.
“I don’t get the non-celebration. I never understood that. Whether or not he’s unhappy with the criticism he’s been getting, it’s irrelevant. You’re paid big money to go and influence games for Manchester United, not celebrating a goal!? I’d give anything to go and score a goal again. I don’t know if it’s because he was on loan there (WBA) or what,” said Redknapp.
At that point, Souness interjected and jokingly asked his colleague if Lukaku was also on loan at Bournemouth before adding that: “he’s (Lukaku) got the huff but he has to rise above that. For me, he’s not doing a lot wrong but he’s not getting the service he needs.”
However, it’s telling how Lukaku reacted after Lingard’s goal.
If Lukaku keeps scoring goals, we’re certain that United fans couldn’t care less about how he celebrates them.
