Prince Rupert's Tower
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Sluggish Everton hang on for the points

By Matt Townsend

Everton's English midfielder Ben Godfrey (R) is pressured by West Bromwich Albion's English-born Welsh striker Hal Robson-Kanu (L) during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Everton at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on March 4, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English midfielder Ben Godfrey (R) is pressured by West Bromwich Albion's English-born Welsh striker Hal Robson-Kanu (L) during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Everton at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on March 4, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After another dull and frankly uninspired performance tonight at the Hawthorns, Everton beat West Browich Albion 1-0 and held on for three more points to take the Toffees briefly back into the top four.

This was not by any means a great watch and was quite similar to Monday’s 1-0 win against Southmpton at Goodison Park. Everton didn’t play much attractive football and had a single Richarlison strike and a good save from Jordan Pickford to thank for collecting all the points.

Still a win is all that really mattered from this game and that’s what the Blues got, although it was a struggle in the end.

There was a lot of speculation about who might play this evening and in particular whether James Rodriguez would feature and if Josh King might get a first start in an Everton shirt.

In the end neither ran out to play as Carlo Ancelotti picked Alex Iwobi on the right and most unexpectedly Bernard to start operating behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

The manager also reverted to a back four of Mason Holgate lining up alongside Micheal Keane and Ben Godfrey with Lucas Digne playing at left-back.

It was a slightly strange selection picking Bernard and I’m not sure why King didn’t get a chance tonight. He was on the bench and came on late in the match but if the Toffees are looking to sign him permanently as they allegedly are, then they surely need to give him some proper game time?

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Well anyway after the Blues had started really quickly on Monday night it was West Brom who nearly scored tonight after just a few minutes. They had a great early chance and it took a fine save from Pickford to keep the scores at 0-0.

Everton were sluggish and lacking in drive and invention and West Brom were the more energetic and dangerous side in the first 45 minutes.

The Toffees did have a half chance for Richarlison and another opportunity for Calvert-Lewin but he shot straight at the keeper. The match was goalless at halftime a score that reflected the lack of quality on display.

It was much the same fare in the second half as both teams huffed and puffed without really looking likely to break the deadlock.

West Brom made it tough for the Blues as was expected they worked hard and were a threat from those set-plays as usual. But generally Everton did defend well and kept the Baggies out.

Then Ancelotti brought on Gylfi Sigurdsson and he made an instant impact. His ball in was powerfully headed home by who else now but Richarlison.

After going so long without scoring the Brazilian is on a real hot streak and can’t miss. This was his fifth successive game finding the net.

The Blues held on until late in the match West Brom’s most dangerous player Diagne had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside. I think it was his toenails but who cares! Another away match, another three points and it’s on to Chelsea in four days time.