West Brom's defensive frailties were again in evidence as Everton secured a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
Cahill and Saha on target for Toffees
West Bromwich Albion's defensive frailties were again in evidence as Everton boosted their UEFA Champions League push with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
Tim Cahill capitalised on some dreadful Baggies defending to head the Toffees in front on 36 minutes before substitute Louis Saha clinched the points with a sweet strike in the second half to leave the visitors bottom of the table.
In a first half of few chances, Cahill thumped a shot into the net only after being penalised for a push on Paul Robinson, while Everton keeper Tim Howard was out smartly to deny Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Everton made the breakthrough nine minutes before half-time when Leighton Baines' free-kick from the left was headed into an unguarded net by the unmarked Cahill, who got to the ball before Baggies keeper Scott Carson.
West Brom came close to an equaliser on 59 minutes when Ryan Donk headed the ball back across goal, but Phil Jagielka produced a delicate touch on the line to keep the Toffees ahead.
And the lead was increased 20 minutes from time when the ball broke to Saha on the edge of the box and the French striker turned sharply before curling a left-footed shot beyond Carson.
The Baggies almost claimed a late consolation, but substitute Luke Moore's cracking shot from 25 yards thundered back off the crossbar.
Bright start
The visitors, who last won a league game at Goodison Park in 1979, started brightly, winning a flurry of set-pieces.
Albion then saw two chances fall to Fortune. The first found him in space on the left, but his shot that was fielded by Howard.
Then Fortune got away through the middle after Fellaini lost possession, but again his drive was held by the Everton keeper.
Robert Koren tried his luck from 20 yards, this time the ball flashing wide of a post.
But Everton suffered yet another injury problem soon after. Tony Hibbert looked to have damaged a thigh early on, and after 26 minutes he was replaced by Leon Osman.
Albion, however, were still causing Everton problems, and when James Morrison fed the ball into Fortune's path with a clear run at goal, Howard needed to produce a telling block. From the corner Morrison drove a shot into the side-netting.
But after 36 minutes all Albion's industry went to waste when they conceded a shocking goal. Jay Simpson's horribly misplaced pass gave Everton a throw which in turn saw Donk foul Steven Pienaar from behind.
And when Baines' free-kick curled into the box, three Everton men had got away from their markers, with Carson hopelessly exposed as Cahill powered in a free header.
Spirit
There was still spirit in Albion, and soon after the break Koren ran from his own half to fire just wide of a post from the edge of the box.
Then Fellaini picked up his 12th booking of the season, clattering into the back of Jonathan Greening, who had just replaced Borja Valero. Albion then sent on Moore for Simpson after 57 minutes.
Moore's first involvement was to cut in from the right and see a shot deflected wide.
From the corner Albion thought they had scored. Donk headed on and Moore's flick was somehow hooked off the line and into Howard's arms by Jagielka.
Everton's response was to take off Fellaini, push Cahill back into midfield to try to stem the flow of Albion attacks, with Saha sent on up front.
But the problem was still there when Chris Brunt surged forward to flash another low drive just wide of Howard's left-hand post.
However, after 70 minutes Saha looked to settle the issue when he took a flick from Pienaar, turned and drilled an outstanding 25-yard drive inside the far post.
Osman then tested Carson with an angled drive, with Saha's fine goal having knocked the wind out of Albion's sails.
Greening was booked for a foul on Pienaar with seven minutes left, before Moore hit the Everton bar from 25 yards and then dragged another effort wide.
| Everton |
Team Statistics |
West Bromwich Albion |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
8 |
| 3 |
Corners |
6 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
18 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 72.5 |
Passing Success |
74.5 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 77.8 |
Tackles Success |
81 |
| 51 |
Possession |
49 |
| 51 |
Territorial Advantage |
49 |
|
