Everton 2 West Bromwich Albion 1:Mr Reliable Leighton Baines was their unexpected matchwinner with two first-half goals as West Brom's poor run continued at Goodison Park.
The left-back smashed one in from the edge of the area before converting a penalty – his 10th success from the spot to maintain his 100 per cent Premier League record.
Substitute Shane Long pulled a goal back midway in the 65th but West Brom saw their recent slump extended to just one point from a possible 15.
Victory lightened the mood on the blue half of Merseyside after the collapse earlier in the day of a €10 million deal for FC Twente Leroy Fer.
The opening goal came out of nowhere when Baines picked up Leon Osman’s pass. With no tackle forthcoming the left-back advanced to the edge of the area before smashing a shot past Ben Foster.
West Brom had George Thorne carried off on a stretcher just before half-time. Substitute Claudio Jacob conceded the penalty four minutes after coming on and Baines converted the penalty.The introduction of the Republic of Ireland’s Long for James Morrison in the 62nd minute paid dividends as within three minutes he had pulled one back.
EVERTON: Howard, Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Mirallas (Gibson 66), Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Anichebe (Jelavic 84). Subs not used: Mucha, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Gueye.
WEST BROM: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Popov, Morrison (Long 62), Dorrans, Thorne (Yacob 43), Brunt, Thomas (Rosenberg 77), Lukaku. Subs not used: Myhill, Ridgewell, Tamas, Fortune. Booked: Yacob, Dorrans.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
