Zoltan Gera gave West Brom a relegation life-line - and dealt a massive blow
to Everton's Champions League hopes - with a second-half winner at The
Hawthorns.
The Hungarian international's headed goal earned Bryan Robson's side their
third win in the last four Premiership games and moved them level on points with
fourth from bottom Southampton.
In contrast fourth placed Everton have now collected just four points from the
last six games and are now only a single point ahead of Liverpool.
Robson's side looked dead and buried in the battle to stay up after being
demolished 5-0 by Liverpool on Boxing Day.
But they are unbeaten at home since that day of despair and have taken 17
points from their last 12 games.
Albion deserved the victory for their second-half performance with Gera again
showing his quality and being well supported in the centre of the park by Kieran
Richardson.
And their defence was in resolute form throughout to restrict Everton to only
a handful of opportunities with Neil Clement particularly impressive.
The visitors now face a almighty battle to ensure all their good work in the
opening two thirds of the season is not thrown away.
Perhaps it was down to the importance of the match but both sides seemed tense
from the kick off and treated the ball as if it was a hot potato in the opening
45 minutes.
There was a lack of quality and clearcut chances and it was hard to tell which
side was at the top and which was at the bottom of the Premiership during that
period.
It was the Baggies who came closest to breaking the deadlock during that
period after 10 minutes after a challenge by Alessandro Pistone on Geoff
Horsfield.
Central defender Thomas Gaardsoe moved forward to meet Jonathan Greening's
resulting free-kick and his header thumped against the crossbar with Everton
'keeper Nigel Martyn well beaten.
Albion were almost caught napping by a long ball forward by defender David
Weir over their defence and Russell Hoult had to beat out Marcus Bent's effort
from the right of the area.
The combative Lee Carsley's curling effort from just outside the West Brom
penalty area flew past the post and a mix-up between Hoult and Gaardsoe in
dealing with a Bent through ball almost let in Leon Osman.
Tim Cahill became the first player to be yellow carded after a touch-line
challenge on Gera and then Richardson followed him into the book for a clumsy
tackle on Arteta.
Kevin Kilbane failed to make the most of a promising two on two situation with
an over-hit pass in the direction of Bent which summed up the poor standard of
the first half entertainment.
Everton were forced to make a switch a minute before half-time when Pistone
pulled up clutching his hamstring after a race for the ball with Horsfield and
he was replaced by Joseph Yobo.
There was time for Poll to book Mikel Arteta for dissent before brought down
the curtain on a disappointing half.
Everton started the second half more purposefully, knocking more balls on the
floor, and it needed a good tackle in the area to halt the run of Cahill.
Richardson checked a darting run by Bent and then Hoult failed to make a clean
contact on a punch out from an Arteta corner when under pressure.
Bent fired high over the bar when he should have at least tested the 'keeper
before the Baggies went ahead after 63 minutes.
Robinson headed the ball to Greening who delivered a teasing cross and Gera
outjumped Yobo to send the ball into the corner of the net for his fourth goal
of the campaign.
Everton then had strong claims for a penalty rejected after Gera appeared to
tug at the shirt of Cahill.
But then Albrechtsen came close to doubling Albion's lead as his low shot
thumped against the post after good play by Richardson.
Teams
West Brom Hoult, Albrechtsen (Scimeca 89), Gaardsoe, Clement,
Robinson, Gera, Wallwork, Richardson (Moore 86), Greening,
Campbell, Horsfield.
Subs Not Used: Chaplow, Kanu, Earnshaw.
Booked: Richardson.
Goals: Gera 63.
Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs (Watson 85), Weir,
Pistone (Yobo 45), Osman, Carsley (Ferguson 75), Arteta,
Cahill, Kilbane, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Plessis.
Booked: Cahill, Arteta.
Att: 26,805
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
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