Romelu Lukaku insists his mind is not being distracted by the race for the Premier League golden boot.

Everton’s in-form Belgian tops the division’s scoring charts with 17 goals this season, tied with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.

The 23-year-old striker netted his 60^th top flight goal for Everton when he netted against struggling Sunderland on Saturday, taking him level with Toffees legend Duncan Ferguson.

However, he insists he is keeping his mind focused on Everton’s next game – a trip to White Hart Lane to face high-flying Spurs – as Ronald Koeman’s side push to cement European qualification.

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“For me it’s just Tottenham versus Everton,” he said. “I don’t like to look at what other players are doing. That’s what cost me the golden boot last year so for me it’s just a game I want to win.

“It’s about winning games and scoring as many goals as possible. Records are there to be broken but I don’t want to hype that.

“The most important thing is that we win because I want us to achieve the highest place possible.

“I’m just that type of person because I’m thinking about the next achievement – what I want my teammates and myself to achieve. The most important thing is what’s coming next.

“Duncan’s said to me to look forward as he knows the way I’m rolling – I’m a guy that always wants to move forward and looking to the next game.”

Harry Kane is a more complete striker than last season and is even giving Spurs defenders nightmares – albeit in training – according to teammate Kevin Wimmer.

The England striker has already notched three hat-tricks in 2017 including a treble last time out in a convincing 4-0 win over Stoke City.

Kane was the Premier League’s top goalscorer last season and has fired Spurs up to second in the table this campaign.

He is joint top of the goalscoring charts again this season with 17 alongside Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku.

And Wimmer insists Kane is a nightmare to defend against – even just in training during the week.

“You only have to see what he does every week in the games – I think he’s improved a lot from last season. He was great last season but he’s improved even more,” underlined the Austrian international, who enjoyed a clean sheet on what was his fifth Premier League appearance of the campaign.

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“He can keep the ball so strongly, it’s difficult when you’re behind him. He’s such a strong guy, he protects the ball so well, he’s quick, he’s sharp and, in front of goal, whenever he gets a chance, it’s usually a goal.

“It’s the same in training so it’s always a good feeling in training when we play games and you’re on the same team as him – but not against him!

“I said to him after the game (against Stoke) that everybody expects him now to score three goals in every game, otherwise everybody is disappointed!”

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny feels he has has adapted well to life in the Premier League after arriving from Basel in January last year.

The Egyptian international’s first goal for the Gunners came just weeks later, a spectacular curling effort in their defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Elneny has featured 12 times for the Gunners this season and will be hoping to make an impact when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening.

And despite his impressive introduction to the club in Europe, the Egyptian midfielder admitted there is one moment he will never forget in an Arsenal shirt.

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“I remember when I played my first game against Tottenham away,” said Elneny.

“It’s a massive game for the club and the fans and it was my first start for Arsenal. I remember thinking I have to do really well and establish myself. That was a big moment for me.

“I think what made me really proud is how the boss was speaking about me and praised me. When one of the best managers in the world compliments you, it’s such a great feeling. I have never felt like that before.

“Also the fans seem to like me, and these are important things for me. Yes I helped Arsenal win games in all competitions but when your manager and the fans like you and say good things about you, I think this is a good achievement for me.”

Crystal Palace’s Serbian midfielder Luka Milivojevic has backed himself to succeed in the Premier League, despite being an unknown quantity among many in the English game.

The combative midfielder has added steel and guile to Palace’s side since arriving from Greek champions Olympiacos for £11 million in January.

He has won 19 caps for his national side, and tasted success in a Palace shirt for the first time last weekend after their 1-0 win over fellow Premier League strugglers Middlesbrough.

And he believes there are added benefits to playing in a country where not many people have heard of him.

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“Maybe it’s better this way – when people know you, they expect too much!” he said.

“They don’t know me now but I believe in myself and this club, and if I didn’t do that then I wouldn’t agree to come here.

“I am sure that if we start to improve and I train with the team more I will show the fans that I am a player who wants to give everything I have.

“I like to play with passion and give 100 per cent and I will try to show my quality, so hopefully the fans will be satisfied with me.”

West Ham’s towering frontman Andy Carroll deserves a recall to the national side, says Hammers team-mate James Collins.

Carroll, 28, has scored six times in 16 appearances for Slaven Bilic’s side this season, including a memorable overhead kick in the Iron’s win over Crystal Palace.

The powerful former Newcastle and Liverpool number nine has won plaudits for his goal-scoring exploits and bullying of defenders for West Ham this season, but has not represented England since October 2012.

Carroll’s career has been dogged by injury, and he has scored twice in just nine appearances for the national side.

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But England boss Gareth Southgate should include the giant Geordie in his next squad, according to Welshman Collins.

“I know if I was playing against him and he was in the opposite team, I’d be in for a tough afternoon,” said Collins, who has won 51 caps for Wales, scoring three goals.

“It gives [England] something different.

“What Andy can do; I’ve never trained against a lad or played against a lad who is as physical and as good in the air as Andy.

“I think it’s a no brainer for him to be in the squad as something different to what they’re used to.”

Young striker Dan Agyei has everything in his locker to break into the Burnley first team, according to the club’s youth coach.

The 19-year-old has linked up with the senior squad after enjoying a successful loan spell with League One strugglers Coventry City.

He made his first appearance on a Clarets bench in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Hull City, but it still awaiting his first-team bow.

Now, Burnley’s development squad coach Michael Jolley believes the experience Agyei is getting by training with Sean Dyche’s senior squad is vital to the former AFC Wimbledon youngster’s progress.

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“I was really pleased for him that he managed to get on the bench on Saturday, so he’s doing well. But he’s got to keep working hard and hope he gets his opportunities,” said Jolley.

“He’s been training a lot with the first team. That’s great for his development as he’s playing against Premier League defenders every day in training .

“He’s got some great natural assets, pace and power, he’s got a terrific left foot, he can head it.

“He’s got a lot going for him but he’s got to work at his game. There’s certain aspects that he really needs to work at and the coaching staff are all trying to help him do that.

“He’s a good kid, he wants to do the work and if he does he’s got a chance of doing something.”

Bournemouth’s abject run of form may have alarmed fans looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone but Marc Pugh claims boss Eddie Howe is the calmest man around.

The Cherries are yet to win a game since the calendar flipped to 2017, a run of eight matches which includes six losses.

That has seen them drop to 14^th in the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.

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Lesser men than Howe might be panicking but midfielder Pugh insists his manager is relishing the challenge and won’t be altering his attacking style of football.

“The manager is top-class, he will never change his philosophy,” said Pugh. “We don’t want to change that philosophy.

“It’s brought us success and I am sure there is a lot more success to come. Eddie will never be really ruthless with a player.

“But if training is not going well, if we’re not on it, or we’re lacking that cutting edge or tempo, he will have a bit of a go, a bit of a shouting match for a couple of minutes – then he’ll calm down!

“He’s a calm guy. He won’t buckle under pressure. He will be relishing the challenge and I am sure he will turn things around.

“He never shows his emotions too much – whether in the press, on the training ground or during games. He just keeps level-headed and that is why he will go a long way in the game.”

Ronald Koeman admits it took time for his players to adapt to his methods at Everton, but he insists they are starting to find their feet.

The Toffees are seventh in the Premier League table just four points behind Manchester United, but face a tricky trip to second-placed Spurs next up.

Koeman found himself under pressure earlier in the campaign after a sluggish start but they have now won six and drawn three since Boxing Day.

And Koeman, who arrived from Southampton, believes his message is being taken on-board by his players.

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He said: “Everybody needs time to adapt, to understand and to know the players. If you compare the squad of Everton this season compared to last season, we have 12 or 13 new faces.

“For the new players you need time to understand what the new manager wants and how he likes to play, what you need to do to get good fitness. That is really important.

“You have to keep your distance sometimes. I like to be one of them but they are much younger than I! I am much more old-fashioned than the football players of this time. But you want to show that you are a part of them.

“Finally, it is the manager’s responsibility if the team is not winning. But you like to do it together and feeling that spirit, that ambition. You like to deal with your players.”

Unity will be the key factor if Sunderland are to turn their season around and attain Premier League survival according to veteran striker Jermain Defoe.

David Moyes’ side lost 2-0 to Everton on Sunday as Ronald Koeman’s men made it nine Premier League games unbeaten through goals from Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku.

But it was from a Defoe shot that ricocheted off the crossbar that Lukaku streaked away for Everton’s crucial second goal.

And Defoe underlined this as an example of the fine margins that can make a huge difference in the race for survival, with squad unity a potential swaying factor.

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“The chance to level happened so quickly and when it bounced down off the crossbar I thought it had bounced in, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Defoe said.

“When the ball hits the woodwork you need a bit of luck – it can go in or drop to one of our players – but it bounced a little too high for Fabio and from the corner they break and score.
“They had that luck because Bryan (Oviedo) did so well to match Lukaku’s strength and get a nick on it, but it’s ricocheted off him and gone in. You need that little bit of luck and we didn’t get it.

“We wanted to try and get something out of the game and we’re disappointed with both of the goals we conceded, but it’s important we move on and stick together like I always say.”

Southampton defender Cedric has called on his teammates to use the character shown in their EFL Cup final defeat as a catalyst for the rest of the Premier League campaign.

Claude Puel’s men were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday, having come back from 2-0 down to almost take home the trophy.

The Saints currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, with just two league victories to their name since the turn of the year.

But following on from their memorable performance against Jose Mourinho’s side, Cedric insists his side can take great confidence into their upcoming games.

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“I think it was a great response – a good answer on the pitch,” he said.

“I think we should bring it to the Premier League as well, and keep a good run in the Premier League.

“We definitely need some points to go up to where we are normally used to being.

“This is our goal, and this is our target now in our heads, and I think if we keep the same mentality for sure, we are going to be happy.”

But while the players will do all they can to ensure they end their league campaign ends on a high, Cedric insists vital support is needed from the Saints’ faithful.

“They were incredible [in the final],” he said. “They made themselves heard.

“You are focused on the game, but we definitely felt this energy from them.

“They were fantastic, they were great, and I hope they will keep like this, because we definitely need them.”