Everton 2 West Brom 0: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
Mar 2 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail
It was his best display in an Albion shirt to date and he deserved a goal or two.
Within moments of coming on he watched his long-range shot hit Cahill and bounce away for a corner.
He went even closer on the hour. Brunt’s corner was headed on by Ryan Donk and Moore got the final touch to send the ball past Howard only to be denied by an outstanding and utterly relaxed goalline clearance by Phil Jagielka, who is surely among the most underrated players in the top flight.
Meanwhile, Everton increased their lead. This is the bit where you feel the good guys are hard done by.
Phil Neville, glowing in his praise of Albion post-match, sent a long ball towards the Baggies’ penalty area, Scott Carson raced out but checked his run, Meite, possibly confused by this, headed the ball clear and away from Louis Saha but only as far as Robinson, who, facing goal, wasn’t to know that Everton dynamo Steven Pienaar was about to nip past and take the ball off him, which he did.
The pass was returned to Saha, who side-footed the ball out of Meite’s reach and released an excellent low shot into the bottom right-hand corner of Carson’s goal.
Moore was unlucky not to pull one back when his late shot flew over Howard and smashed against the bar.
Two-nil was harsh on Albion. James Morrison and Koren were forceful and willing to run at people from midfield, especially once Everton stretched their own side by bringing on Saha for Fellaini.
Borja Valero started brightly but faded – even so he did well during his peak moments before the break. His passing was incisive and he was given more licence in the final third. Greening’s presence gave Albion a lift, while Moore and Fortuné look the obvious front pairing for tomorrow’s game against Simpson’s parent club Arsenal.
Meite and Donk were reasonable when the ball was below head height but the full-backs were lacking in confidence and consistency. Not the greatest day for Albion’s backline.
Yet there can’t be many grounds where the home fans are calling for the final whistle despite being two goals ahead, as they were at Goodison.
The Baggies could really have done with an easier touch for tomorrow’s game at The Hawthorns – Arsenal at home perhaps isn’t the ideal fixture given their record against the Big Four.
If they perform as they did on Saturday, then they will certainly give themselves a better chance.
As far as Albion’s season is concerned, there may be more twists to come.
