Romelu Lukaku returned from injury to get Everton back to winning ways after three league defeats in four games on Saturday, and in doing so, ended West Ham’s impressive run of four straight victories.

The Belgian striker latched onto Leighton Baines’ square ball to fire in from 10 yards with a little under 10 minutes remaining, leaving West Ham boss Sam Allardyce rueing an earlier decision by referee Jonathan Moss.

Inside the first 20 minutes, Gareth Barry appeared to haul down Kevin Nolan just outside the Everton box, for which Moss waved play on.

However, Allardyce insisted that not only should a free kick have been awarded, but also that Barry was the last man.

“There’s no doubt about that in my mind,” said Allardyce.

“I think that, from my position, which was the same position as the referee’s position, there was no obscure view of Gareth Barry pulling Kevin Nolan down.

“By looking at it, it looks like it’s stopping a goal scoring opportunity and a red card.”

Other than that appeal, West Ham rarely looked threatening, with Andy Carroll going closest for the visitors.

He forced Tim Howard to tip over his 25-yard strike ten minutes into the second half.

But it was the introduction of Lukaku that proved crucial for the hosts, whose patient build-up play was rewarded when midfielder Steven Pienaar, who had earlier struck the post himself, linked up with Baines and the England international found Lukaku in space for a straight forward finish.

“Romelu is someone we have missed for a long time and it was a clinical touch,” said Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

He has also not ruled out a Champions League push, despite being nine points behind Manchester City.

“If we can win every game, why not?” the Spaniard pondered.