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DUNCAN FERGUSON scored 72 goals in his 11 seasons as a swashbuckling Everton centre-forward.

He was idolised, eulogised and lionised.

The all too cheaply tossed around label of ‘legend’ was swiftly bestowed ... according to his manager of the time before he’d even become a player!

But then some players simply capture the imagination.

On Monday night, however, Romelu Lukaku matched Ferguson’s figure by crashing in his 72nd Everton goal. Lukaku is still only halfway through his fourth season as a Toffees striker.

If you know your history, he has already outscored genuine Everton legends like Tommy Lawton, Bert Freeman and Bobby Parker and is now closing in on a deity - the God-like genius that was Alan Ball.

Yet he’s still considered a player who could do more.

In some supporters’ eyes, anyway.

Sure. He could create more goals. He could run around a little more eye-catchingly. He could even make more defensive headed clearances.

But the bottom line is he is a goalscorer. And only one Premier League striker is currently doing that more effectively than him this season.

Of course he could do a little bit more. Couldn’t we all?

Lionel Messi could probably do a little bit more, too. But while the Argentinian ace is an all-time football great, Lukaku continues to divide opinion at his current club.

Maybe that’s the issue. Fans are waiting for the next come and get me plea, the next Mino Raiola missive.

But regardless of where Lukaku’s career-path takes him, he has already done enough in his short Everton career to be considered absolutely crucial to the club’s enduring long-term health.

He has carried the club’s attacking threat almost single-handedly since he arrived on-loan from Chelsea. And done so prolifically.

He looks even more impressive when he’s given a helping hand.

For an hour of a Bank Holiday bore against Southampton which was desperately low on quality, Lukaku was left to frustratingly scrounge around for goalmouth scraps. One probing first half Ross Barkley pass was the sum total of the service he received. He still got off his shot but Fraser Forster saved with his foot.

But tellingly Lukaku kept going. He has made disappearing acts before during his Goodison career when his spirits have sunk - notably for the entire second half of last season. But just a little shy of 72 hours since his previous outing at Hull he continued to run the channels, carried on chasing lost causes and kept on harrying Southampton’s tiring defenders.

Sure, his hold up play wasn’t perfect. But his commitment and his attitude were and he was rewarded when Enner Valencia arrived to offer a little penalty area assistance.

Valencia introduced energy, pace and no little quality - and Lukaku looked re-energised.

He’d already fired one shot from a similar position across goal and wide earlier in the half. But minutes from time he crashed a fearsome drive into the roof of Forster’s net.

Three-nil. Game over. Job done. Just a few minutes after his towering header had elicited the Forster save for Valencia to pounce upon and fire in his first Everton goal.

Not everyone was happy. Social media reaction was, at best, mixed about Lukaku’s contribution.

But his manager was satisifed. And Lukaku will continue to lead the Everton line impressively and prolifically.

His coach turned predecessor only had to toss a faux Liverpool hard-case to the floor to inspire adulation.

And while Lukaku could always show a little more aggression, he’s still doing very well thank you very much.

So why doesn’t everyone appreciate him?