The deadly front man came up with a crucial left-footed opener six minutes before the break to take the sting out of APOEL's spirited charge before drilling in Moussa Sissoko's pass with his right foot on 62 minutes, then completing his treble with a header five minutes later.
That made it seven goals in five career Champions League appearances for our home-grown hitman, who has now scored in four consecutive ties in the competition dating back to Monaco away last November.
APOEL did hit the woodwork through Igor de Camargo in the first period while Hugo Lloris had to make a couple of smart saves after the break, but we were always in control of the Group H tie.