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WEST BROMWICH ALBION v EVERTON
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 13th September 2014, 3:00pm
The Hawthorns

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 160th league and cup meeting between Albion and Everton. The Toffees currently lead the way in the victory stakes with 65 wins compared to Albion's 58.

The two clubs have met twice before on September 13 with both games taking place at The Hawthorns - in 1919 when Albion ran out 4-3 winners and in 1930 when Everton were victorious with a 2-1 win.

Albion's last game on this date came in 2008 when goals from James Morrison, Roman Bednar and Chris Brunt gave Tony Mowbray's men a 3-2 Premier League win over West Ham United at The Hawthorns.

Everton's last game on September 13 came in 2009 when they lost 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Excluding the penalty shoot-out against Oxford, the Baggies have won only five of their last 37 league and cup games, a run stretching back to October 2013.

Albion's last six games: Swansea City (A) 0-3; Oxford United (H, LC) 1-1 (7-6 after pens); Southampton (A) 0-0; Sunderland (H) 2-2; FC Porto (H, Fr) 1-3; Port Vale (A, Fr) 2-3.

Everton's last six games: Chelsea (H) 3-6; Arsenal (H) 2-2; Leicester City (A) 2-2; SC Paderborn (A, Fr) 1-3; Celta Vigo (H, Fr) 1-3; FC Porto (H, Fr) 1-1.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

The trio of Ben Foster (thumb), Gareth McAuley (ankle) and Graham Dorrans (heel) are all expected to be fit despite picking up injuries whilst on international duty. Captain Chris Brunt is available following a calf injury as is Belgian left-back Sebastien Pocognoli (thigh).

However, influential midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is a doubt having also been injured whilst away with his country and striker Victor Anichebe faces a late test on his hernia problem.

Recent signings Joleon Lescott, Georgios Samaras, Silvestre Varela and Sebastian Blanco could all feature for the first time after stepping up their fitness during the international break.

Everton

Former Albion loanee Romelu Lukaku is expected to be fit for the visitors after shaking off the toe injury that forced him to miss Belgium's friendly with Australia last week.

Steven Pienaar, Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo have all returned to full training and could figure but Samuel Eto'o and Leon Osman are doubts with the duo set to undertake late fitness tests.

Ross Barkley remains missing due to his knee injury.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 23/10, Everton Win: 23/20, Draw: 12/5.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Ideye 7/1, Berahino 7/1, Anichebe 15/2, Samaras 8/1, Blanco 9/1, Sessegnon 9/1, Varela 9/1, Gardner 11/1, Brunt 12/1, Morrison 12/1, Dorrans 16/1, Mulumbu 20/1, Dawson 25/1, Lescott 33/1, McAuley 33/1, Baird 33/1, Yacob 33/1, Olsson 33/1.

Everton: Eto'o 5/1, Lukaku 5/1, Naismith 5/1, Mirallas 6/1, Osman 9/1, McGeady 9/1, Atsu 11/1, Pienaar 11/1, Baines 12/1, Coleman 14/1, Gibson 16/1, Barry 16/1, Besic 20/1, McCarthy 20/1, Jagielka 33/1, Garbutt 33/1.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Taylor refereed two Albion games last season - the 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea in February and the 1-1 draw at Spurs on Boxing Day.

The Cheshire official took charge of five Everton games during 2013/14 - the 3-1 win at Fulham in March, the 4-0 FA Cup win at Stevenage in January, the 4-1 win over Fulham at Goodison Park in December, the 2-0 win at Aston Villa in October and the 0-0 draw at Cardiff City in August.

Taylor has issued eight yellow cards and no red in the 3 games he has officiated so far this season.

A full run-down of Taylor's history refereeing the Baggies can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are currently on general sale to home supporters priced £39 adults, £29 seniors, £25 under-21s/students and £15 under-17s.

WEATHER FORECAST

Light cloud, 17°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

The very first meeting of the clubs took place in April 1888 in a friendly match at Anfield, the Baggies running out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Jem Bayliss.

Both Albion and Everton are founder members of the Football League and the very first meeting between the two sides came during the league's inaugural season in 1888/89. The first game took place at Everton's Anfield Road ground in December, Albion running out 4-1 winners thanks to two goals from Billy Bassett and one apiece from Walter Perry and William Hendry. The return game at Stoney Lane saw Albion complete the double over the Merseysiders thanks to a 1-0 win in what was the last game of the season, Fred Crabtree the goalscorer.

Albion's biggest victory against Everton came in December 1935 at The Hawthorns, legendary striker William 'G' Richardson scoring two of the goals in a 6-1 stroll.

Other big wins for the Baggies' include 6-2 in March 1960 when Derek Kevan scored five of the goals, 5-0 in 1923 and 5-2 in 1919.

The Toffees' best result against Albion is 7-1, achieved in 1893 at Goodison Park, Jack Southworth scoring six of the Everton goals.

Everton have also recorded 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3 victories against the Baggies over the years.

Albion have beaten Everton four times at The Hawthorns in Premier League action, only against Sunderland (5) have the Baggies won more games against a team at home.

A full fixture history between the two teams can be found here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

(Click on game to view)

Saturday 23 August 2008 - Albion 1-2 Everton - Premier League - The Hawthorns
Sunday 7 May 2006 - Everton 2-2 Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park
Saturday 19 November 2005 - Albion 4-0 Everton - Premier League - The Hawthorns
Sunday 3 April 2005 - Albion 1-0 Everton - Premier League - The Hawthorns
Saturday 28 August 2004 - Everton 2-1 Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park
Wednesday 11 January 1989 - Everton 1-0 Albion - FA Cup 3rd Round Replay - Goodison Park
Saturday 7 January 1989 - Albion 1-1 Everton - FA Cup 3rd Round - The Hawthorns
Tuesday 16 April 1985 - Everton 4-1 Albion - First Division - Goodison Park
Wednesday 24 September 1980 - Everton 1-2 Albion - League Cup 3rd Round - Goodison Park
Saturday 1 December 1979 - Albion 1-1 Everton - First Division - The Hawthorns
Saturday 2 September 1972 - Everton 1-0 Albion - First Division - Goodison Park
Saturday 18 May 1968 - Albion 1-0 Everton - FA Cup Final - Wembley Stadium

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 1-1 Everton
Barclays Premier League
Monday 20 January 2014, 8:00pm

Albion: Foster; Reid, Lugano, Olsson, Ridgewell; Gera (Mulumbu 60), Yacob, Morrison, Brunt; Vydra (Anichebe HT), Anelka (Berahino 76). Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Jones, Sessegnon, Amalfitano.

Goalscorer: Lugano 75

Booked: Yacob 35 (persistent fouling), Morrison 44 (foul), Ridgewell 55 (foul)

Everton: Howard; Coleman (Stones 79), Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Oviedo (McGeady 80), Mirallas, Osman (Naismith 89); Lukaku. Subs not used: Robles (gk), Hibbert, Heitinga, Vellios.

Goalscorer: Mirallas 41

Booked: Barry 50 (foul), Mirallas 90+2 (foul)

Attendance: 24,184

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Everton missed the opportunity to move into the top four as Diego Lugano's second-half header ensured West Bromwich Albion boss Pepe Mel took a point from his first game at The Hawthorns. Kevin Mirallas put Everton on course for the victory that would have moved them into the Champions League places just before half-time - but Roberto Martinez's side were punished for a poor second-half display by Lugano's fine header 15 minutes from time. The point was more satisfying for Mel than Martinez, who will be desperately frustrated at Everton's failure to take first-half opportunities and the manner in which they deteriorated after the break.

Nicolas Anelka took his place in West Brom's line-up, hours after sponsors Zoopla announced they had decided to end their association with West Brom following his "quenelle" gesture after scoring at West Ham United recently.  The sign is described as an inverted Nazi salute and declared by some to be anti-Semitic and Zoopla, co-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterman, will now focus on other marketing activities.  While the Football Association continues its investigation into Anelka, Mel selected the veteran and he was given warm applause when he was substituted late on.

New head coach Mel will not only take heart from a valuable point but also from The Baggies' determination to fight their way back into a game that Everton dominated early on. Martinez's side, without the injured Ross Barkley, lacked a spark after the interval and he will know this could be two important points cast aside in the race for a top-four place as Everton remain sixth.

Romelu Lukaku was warmly received on his return to The Hawthorns, where he was such a success on loan from Chelsea last season, scoring 19 goals.  And he had the chance to add to his tally in this campaign early on when he ran on to Sylvain Distin's long pass but his attempted lob lacked direction and drifted harmlessly wide.  Everton reshuffled in the absence of injured Steven Pienaar, with Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo in an unfamiliar role on the right. He adapted well, though, and was twice narrowly off target as Martinez's side exerted pressure.  Seamus Coleman saw a goalbound shot blocked by Chris Brunt but there was also plenty for Albion's fans to appreciate as Mel's determination to impose a pressing game showed early signs of promise. If Mel had a complaint, it would have been West Brom's reluctance to shoot when presented with opportunities, a failing which let them down on more than one occasion, although Zoltan Gera did force Everton keeper Tim Howard into one block.  Everton were looking the bigger threat and they finally transformed this into end product four minutes before half-time when Lukaku won an aerial challenge and Mirallas held off Lugano's challenge with ease to beat Ben Foster with a low drive.

Mel sent on former Everton striker Victor Anichebe as a half-time replacement for Matej Vydra and he almost punished his former club when he stole on to Anelka's cross at the near post but Howard was alert.  Everton had allowed their control to slip, with passages of sloppy play which allowed Albion to gain a foothold and the equaliser duly came with 15 minutes left.  Lugano's near-post run was rewarded with a flashing cross from James Morrison, with the Uruguayan giving Howard no chance with a bullet header. The momentum had now shifted to West Brom and Martinez introduced Aiden McGeady for his debut at the expense of Oviedo, while John Stones replaced Seamus Coleman, who went off feeling his hamstring.  Everton thought they had snatched the win when Distin turned in Gareth Barry's shot with the final kick of the game - but he was well offside and Albion survived.

BBC Sport

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

Baggies' boss Alan Irvine joined Everton in 1981 from Scottish club Queens Park. He spent three years with the Toffees before leaving for Crystal Palace in 1984. Irvine returned to Goodison Park in 2002 as assistant to David Moyes, a role he held for five years before he left to take over as Preston North End's manager. He returned to Everton once more in 2011 to work with the club's academy.

Victor Anichebe started his career in Everton's academy system, progressing to sign his first professional contract with the club in April 2006. He spent a further seven years at Goodison Park before making a £5million move to The Hawthorns in September 2013.

Albion defender Joleon Lescott had a three year spell at Goodison Park after joining from Wolves in June 2006. He left for Manchester City in August 2009 for a reported fee of £22million.

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku spent the 2012/13 season on loan at The Hawthorns, hitting 17 goals in the process. He joined Everton, again on a season long loan, on transfer deadline day 2013 before he made a permanent £28 million move to Goodison Park in July 2014.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Brett Angell, Laurie Bell, Walter Boyes, David Burrows, John Cameron, Kevin Campbell, Stan Davies, Thomas Dilly, Peter Eastoe, Albert Flewitt, Tony Grant, Andy Gray, Asa Hartford, Paul Holmes, William Jordan, Kevin Kilbane, Andy King, Ken McNaught, Bruce Rankin, Sid Rawlings, Fred Rouse, John Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Imre Varadi and Steve Watson.

Wilf Dixon was a trainer at both clubs.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS EVERTON

 VENUE P W D  L F A
 Home 76 40 19 17 150 86
 Away 80 16 17 47 97 168
 Neutral 3 2 0 1 3 2
 Total 159 58 36 65 250 256

LAST TEN MATCHES AGAINST EVERTON

 DATE  COMPETITION H/A F-A  GOALSCORERS  GATE
 Mon 20 Jan 2014  Premier League H 1-1  Lugano - Mirallas  24,184
 Sat 24 Aug 2013  Premier League A 0-0    36,410
 Wed 30 Jan 2013  Premier League A 1-2  Long - Baines 2 (1 pen)  31,376
 Sat 01 Sep 2012  Premier League H 2-0  Long, McAuley  25,383
 Sat 31 Mar 2012  Premier League A 0-2  McAuley (og), Anichebe  32,051
 Sun 01 Jan 2012  Premier League H 0-1  Anichebe  23,038
 Wed 21 Sep 2011  League Cup A 1-2 aet  Brunt (pen) - Fellaini, Neville  17,647
 Sat 14 May 2011  Premier League H 1-0  Mulumbu  25,838
 Sat 27 Nov 2010  Premier League A 4-1  Scharner, Brunt, Tchoyi, Mulumbu - Cahill  35,237
 Sat 28 Feb 2009  Premier League A 0-2  Cahill, Saha  33,898

 

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