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Attendance: 23,654
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Premier League
Aug 20, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Everton logo

1-2

McAuley (9')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mirallas (45'), Barry (61')

Live Commentary: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
2

Everton took maximum points from their visit to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League thanks to a winner from Gareth Barry in the second half.

The Blues came from behind to secure the victory, going a goal down early on when Gareth McAuley nodded the home side in front from a corner.

Kevin Mirallas got them back on level terms in first-half stoppage time, before Barry pounced on the hour mark to help the Toffees to their first competitive win under Ronald Koeman.

Find out how the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.


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Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of the Premier League clash between West Bromwich Albion and Everton, as both sides attempt to maintain unbeaten records two matches into the new campaign.

There's just under an hour to go until kickoff, but we'll bring you build-up and team news before then. First up, the visitors' starting XI...

EVERTON: Stekelenburg; Baines, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Holgate; Gueye, Barry, McCarthy; Mirallas, Barkley; Deulofeu
Subs: Robles, Williams, Lukaku, Lennon, Bolasie, Cleverley, Oviedo

Ronald Koeman has kept the faith in the same lineup that held Spurs to a 1-1 draw last weekend, with Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley providing the goal threat in the absence of an out-and-out striker.

There is, however, big news on the Everton bench, where the fit-again Romelu Lukaku starts alongside new signings Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams, who may be involved in some capacity today.

West Brom: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Gardner, Yacob, Fletcher, Phillips; Berahino, Rondon
Subs: Myhill; Morrison, McClean, Lambert, Leko, Field

Like Everton, home side West Brom have stuck with consistency, naming the same XI which came away from Crystal Palace with maximum points last weekend. If it's not broken, don't fix it. Right?

The Baggies' only summer recruit Matt Phillips keeps his place in midfield following a successful debut last time out, starting beside Claudio Yacob, Darren Fletcher and Craig Gardner. Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon lead the line up front.

There isn't a great deal to discuss about each side's current form given that the new season is just one game old, but West Brom really impressed last week at Palace. They hit the ground running, playing with the kind of organisation and discipline that has become synonymous with Tony Pulis over the years.

KEY MAN: Salomon Rondon will be a key figure for West Brom today. It was a goal from the Venezuelan powerhouse, who has been gradually acclimatising to the demands of the Premier League, that sunk Palace last weekend. Rondon's good form has even seen him linked with a shock move to Barcelona.

Salomon Rondon celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool on May 15, 2016© Getty Images


Over to Everton, who feel like a work in progress under their new ownership. They were impressive for about an hour against Spurs last time out before a sluggishness crept into their game. Koeman has acknowledged his side's lack of match fitness and has no doubt been working to set it right.

This issue aside, the Blues look destined to become a more solid unit under the Dutchman, with the likes of Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye operating as midfield linchpins in front of a packed defence. Perhaps the real issue is where the goals are going to come from this afternoon, with no recognised striker on the pitch.

KEY MAN: Gareth Barry will be an important figure for the Blues today. The midfielder's experience will be absolutely vital for them as they attempt to keep Berahino and Rondon quiet and his presence will no doubt help new boy Gueye settle into the side.

Gareth Barry celebrates scoring during the game between Everton and Swansea on January 24, 2016© Getty Images


A few interesting stats to hit you with... West Brom have failed to defeat Everton at home in the last three attempts and have beaten them just once at any venue in the last seven attempts. That came last February when Rondon scored the winner at Goodison Park.

You may think that bodes well for the Blues, but they didn't travel at all well last season. No victories in their last six away matches means they're on their worst run since a 10-match winless streak in 2013.

PREDICTION: I think those stats will mean little this afternoon considering Everton will be a different animal under Koeman, but I do believe these two will cancel each other out. Don't expect a high-scoring affair as Everton are playing without an out-and-out striker and West Brom are about as defensively tight as they come. I'm anticipating a closed game and a 1-1 scoreline.

There's just under 15 minutes to go until the action gets underway, so let's take a look at what the managers are saying ahead of kickoff...

Tony Pulis addressed the speculation linking defender Jonny Evans with Arsenal in his pre-match press conference: "The most important thing is that Jonny is with us and we want him to stay because he's an outstanding player. You don't want to lose your best players, but in football sometimes that happens. If it does happens, you need to make sure you know where your replacements are."

His opposite number Koeman chose to focus on the £25m arrival of Bolasie when he spoke to the media: "If you pay that amount of money for a player it is really an important transfer, and of course we know about his qualities. Really for a long time he was on my list because he is physically strong, fast and has a very good mentality. He is one of the best wingers in the Premier League."

Ronald Koeman during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton on April 23, 2016© Getty Images


The players are heading out of the tunnel now to be greeted by a packed-out Hawthorns. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates from the West Midlands...

KICKOFF: The match is now underway. There are a few empty seats in sections of the Hawthorns but a great atmosphere for the first home match of the campaign nonetheless. Everton have brought impressive travelling support, too.

A lovely pass from Gareth Barry releases Gerard Deulofeu, who in turn finds Ross Barkley in the box. The England international goes down under a challenge from Claudio Yacob, which the away supporters weren't too happy with, but the referee saw nothing wrong with it and neither did I.

Both sides have played with a good level of intensity in these early stages, stringing swift passes together and showing attacking intent. West Brom push forward as Jonny Evans's long ball seeks out Rondon, only to drift out for an Everton goalkick.

SAVE! Maarten Stekelenburg saves Everton's bacon as Rondon gets goal side of the Blues defence in the penalty area and goes for goal from an acute angle. The Dutch stopper makes himself big and turns the ball behind for a corner.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Everton (Gareth McAuley)

The Baggies take the lead straight from the corner. Craig Gardner sends a cross towards the back post and Gareth McAuley out-jumps Leighton Baines and thumps a header into the back of the net!

Everton are all at sea after falling behind. Koeman will be looking for a positive response from his side, but they are on the back foot once more as Rondon wins another corner. Gardner, however, cannot produce the same quality of cross this time around and the ball is shepherded out for a goalkick.

The Blues look like they have an uphill struggle on their hands getting back into this one. They've offered little in the way of penetration and the Baggies are always tough to break down. The way Pulis has set out his stall has given Everton little room to flourish.

Here's an action shot of McAuley celebrating the opening goal, a bullet header direct from a corner:



And here's the goalmouth scramble as McAuley nodded the ball over the line. Just look at how high he got up there:



CHANCE! Everton finally show some intent in the final third as Barkley flicks the ball on to Barry, who is positioned on the edge of the box, and the veteran midfielder side-foots an effort towards goal. However, he doesn't get much on it and it's a comfortable stop for Ben Foster.

BOOKING: Berahino picks up the first booking of the game for a rash challenge on Barry. It was a nasty, studs-first challenge that could have seen the Everton man end up in a much worse state.

Everton are lacking any kind of presence in the final third. They've hoisted the ball forward a few times now, but there is nobody applying pressure on the hosts' flat back four. That said. Romelu Lukaku has been warming up along the touchline for a few minutes now, receiving applause from the home support, who remember him fondly from his loan stint here.

Good pressure from the Baggies, who stage another attack as Yacob plays in a cross from wide on the right. The ball goes over the head of Rondon and is scrambled clear, but it caused panic in the Everton area nonetheless.

Ronald Koeman has conceded that his gameplan isn't working here. Lukaku is preparing to come on and it looks like James McCarthy will be making way. The Blues will be hoping that this switch will add some much-needed bite to their attack.

The Toffees have claimed almost 65% of the possession here, but they don't even have a clear-cut chance to show for it. There's been a lack of creativity and presence in the final third from them.

SUBSTITUTION: Confirmation of that Everton change as McCarthy makes way for Lukaku. A positive switch from Koeman, who really needs to inject some life into his team's front line. McCarthy doesn't look too happy about coming off.

POOR FREE KICK: Everton have the chance to test Foster for the first time this afternoon as they win a free kick just outside the penalty area. Baines curls his shot over the wall, but it clears the crossbar by several feet. Wasteful stuff from the wingback.

The Baggies look content to frustrate Everton at the moment. They aren't showing much ambition outside of their own half, allowing the Blues to see more of the ball but standing up to everything they've thrown at them.

Lukaku has added some presence up front. The addition of the big Belgian has forced West Brom to throw some numbers back and defend as a team. Evans and Dawson don't look so comfortable all of a sudden.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton (Mirallas)

Everton find their equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time thanks to a composed finish from Kevin Mirallas. Precise passing pulled the West Brom defence apart, with Barry linking up with Barkley, who plays a one-two with the Belgian in the box. Mirallas finishes the move by shooting low into the bottom corner.

HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton

All square at the break at The Hawthorns. West Brom took an early lead when McAuley headed a corner beyond Stekelenburg, but a neat finish from Mirallas put the Blues level on the stroke of half time.

West Brom deserve credit for setting out such a tight stall, but their gameplan went up in smoke following the introduction of Romelu Lukaku. Praise must also go to Koeman, who acknowledged that a drastic change was need and threw on the Belgian up top.

Here are the other half time scores in the Premier League:

Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-0 Hull City
Spurs 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 0-0 Chelsea


KICK OFF: We're back underway at The Hawthorns in a match that looks like it could go either way.

CHANCE! Maarten Stekelenburg preserves the parity with another impressive stop to keep out Rondon. The ball falls kindly for Darren Fletcher inside the area, but his shot is deflected into the path of the Venezuelan, who has a clear sight of goal. Rondon got plenty of power behind the hit, but Stekelenburg was equal to it.

CHANCE! Everton up the tempo and carve out another chance as Gerard Deulofeu collects the ball in front of goal and has a pop, Ben Foster proving more than equal to the Spaniard's effort.

CLOSE! West Brom come within inches of regaining the lead as Craig Gardner bends a free kick over the wall, but it curls just inches wide of the post. Stekelenburg would not have had that covered if it was on target, due to that Roberto Carlos-esque curl.

GREAT SAVE! It's Ben Foster's turn to show off his goalkeeping prowess as Ramiro Funes Mori thumps a powerful header towards goal, the Baggies stopper producing acrobatics to turn it behind.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton (Barry)

There's a twist in the tale as Everton take the lead from the resulting corner, just like West Brom did early in the match. Mirallas swings in the corner and young Mason Holgate flicks it towards goal for Barry to head in from close range. He's marked his 100th Premier League appearance with a rare goal!

SUBSTITUTION: Yannick Bolasie comes on to make his Everton debut, replacing Deulofeu. That's an attacking change from Koeman, who clearly thinks his side are capable of building on their lead here.

SUBSTITUTIONS: West Brom respond with a double switch, with Gardner and Phillips making way for McClean and Leko, as they aim to swing the pendulum back in their favour.

Stekelenburg's reaction to that Barry goal was a cracker:



And here's how the man himself celebrated:



MISS! Everton have just missed a big chance to put this one to bed as Yannick Bolasie's exceptional right-wing cross finds the head of Ross Barkley in front of goal, but the England midfielder failed to hit to target unmarked. Will the Blues live to regret that?

Half-chance for the Baggies as McAuley nods McClean's shot wide. Bolasie fires high and wide at the other end moments later following a surging run.

SUBSTITUTION: Lambert comes on for Berahino in a like-for-like swap up front. The former Liverpool striker almost makes an immediate impact as his chases down a through-ball, but Funes Mori is on hand to swoop in and make a crucial block.

SUBSTITUTION: Kevin Mirallas makes way for Ashley Williams, who is making his Everton debut. Koeman has thrown on an additional defender to preserve this lead.

Just like the Baggies did to them in the first half, Everton are frustrating their opponents with a shutout. West Brom are trying to get the ball forward to Rondon, but the Toffees have thrown numbers back and aren't allowing them an inch.

There's plenty of noise coming from the Everton supporters now and why shouldn't they be happy? Their side look like they're going to see this one out, but the Baggies earn a late corner as Holgate sends the ball behind...

West Brom earn a second corner in rapid succession, but this one is deflected over off Rondon for a goalkick. The Blues breath a sigh of relief.

GREAT SAVE! Bolasie is picked out by Barkley and he sends Lukaku one-on-one with Foster, but the West Brom stopper makes himself big and pulls off a wonderful block at point-blank range.

West Brom pile on the pressure in the dying stages, sending bodies forward, but top-drawer defending from Phil Jagielka prevents them from finding a way through.

West Brom attempt to throw the kitchen sink at Everton at the death as Ben Foster joins his teammates in the final third. The goalkeeper actually has the final say, shooting narrowly wide from outside the box as the referee reaches for his whistle...

FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton

And there you have it. Everton take maximum points away from The Hawthorns thanks to an unlikely winner from Gareth Barry. The veteran midfielder marked his 100th Premier League appearance with a goal after Kevin Mirallas had cancelled out Gareth McAuley's opener.

That was Everton's first competitive win under Ronald Koeman and it lifts them to fifth in the table after two matches played. Would the Blues take that position come the end of the season? I'd say they'd snap your hand off after last term's bottom-half finish.

Here are the other full-time results from today's Premier League games:

Stoke 1-4 Man City
Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-2 Hull City
Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 1-2 Chelsea


And that's all we have time for here, but stick with Sports Mole for live commentary from Arsenal's trip to Leicester City in the evening kickoff, as well as all of the fallout from today's fixtures. Thanks for joining us.

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Crystal Palace's French-born Congolese midfielder Yannick Bolasie runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in north London on September 20, 2015
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