Played
September 1, 2012 3:00 PM BST
The Hawthorns — West Bromwich
Referee:‬ J. Moss‎
Attendance:‬ 25383‎
 
65′ Shane Long
 
 

West Brom - Everton Preview: Both sides looking to maintain unbeaten Premier League starts

The Toffees have posted wins against Manchester United and Aston Villa thus far but face a Baggies side who have been as impressive in beating Liverpool and drawing with Tottenham

By Chris Teale

EPL - Aston Villa v Everton,  Maroune Fellaini
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

WEST BROM

Foster
Reid, Olsson, McAuley, Ridgewell
 Mulumbu, Yacob
Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt

Lukaku

EVERTON

Howard
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Gibson, Fellaini
Naismith, Osman, Pienaar
Jelavic


For the Baggies, Peter Odemwingie is reported to be close to making a comeback from a groin injury, but is likely to start on the bench should he prove fit and could be joined by Jerome Thomas.

Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku missed the club’s League Cup tie with Yeovil during the week, but should be fit and could start.

Phil Neville is a slight injury doubt for Everton after limping out of their victory over Leyton Orient in midweek, but should be fit in time for this game but Tony Hibbert is doubtful of making the squad.

New signing Kevin Mirallas may have to be content with a place on the bench despite his goal heroics, with Nikica Jelavic in good form and already settled into the Premier League.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • In their last eight Premier League games at the Hawthorns, West Brom have kept six clean sheets.
  • Of the Baggies’ current squad, only midfielder Zoltan Gera remains at the club from the 2004-05 season, where they became the first Premier League club in history to be bottom of the table at Christmas but manage to avoid relegation. Gera spent three seasons at Fulham from 2008-2011.
  • In the two Premier League games between these sides last season, Everton were victorious both times. At the Hawthorns, the Toffees won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Victor Anichebe (pictured right) in the 87th minute, and won 2-0 in the return fixture thanks to a Gareth McAuley own goal and another from Anichebe.
  • These teams also faced each other in the third round of the League Cup at Goodison Park, with Everton securing a 2-1 victory after extra time thanks to a goal from Phil Neville in the 103rd minute.
  • Everton are unbeaten in 11 Premier League games, and have won their first two league games for the first time since the 2007-08 season. They last won three in a row in the 1993-94 season.
  • The last time an Everton player finished as top goalscorer in English football’s top tier was in the 1985-86 season, when Gary Lineker found the net 30 times.
  • The nickname of the Toffees was apparently given to Everton after they moved to Goodison Park in 1892, as a business was located nearby in Everton village called Mother Noblett’s, a toffee shop.
  • Everton have lost just once in their last 10 games away from home in the Premier League, that defeat being a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on March 13.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 Sep 2012 West Bromwich Albion 2 - Everton 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 31 Mar 2012 Everton 2 - West Bromwich Albion 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 Jan 2012 West Bromwich Albion 0 - Everton 1
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Capital One Cup ‎(CCUP)‎ 21 Sep 2011 Everton 2 - West Bromwich Albion 1
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Last Five Matches
Odds
Returns: West Brom £30.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £410.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Everton £1510.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
1Ben FosterGoalkeeper
3Jonas OlssonDefender
6Liam RidgewellDefender
23Gareth McAuleyDefender
12Steven ReidDefender
5Claudio YacobMidfielder
7James MorrisonMidfielder
17Graham DorransMidfielder
21Youssouf MulumbuMidfielder
9Shane LongStriker
32Marc-Antoine FortuneStriker
13B. MyhillGoalkeeper
25Craig DawsonDefender
28Billy JonesMidfielder
11Chris BruntMidfielder
22Zoltán GeraStriker
8Markus RosenbergStriker
24Peter OdemwingieStriker
24Tim HowardGoalkeeper
3Leighton BainesDefender
6Phil JagielkaDefender
15Sylvain DistinDefender
28Darron GibsonMidfielder
18Phil NevilleDefender
21Leon OsmanMidfielder
20Steven PienaarMidfielder
25Marouane FellainiMidfielder
7Nikica JelavicStriker
14Steven NaismithStriker
1Jan MuchaGoalkeeper
2Tony HibbertDefender
5John HeitingaDefender
23Seamus ColemanDefender
11Kevin MirallasStriker
19Magaye GueyeStriker
28Victor AnichebeStriker
Players to Watch
James Morrison
James Morrison
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 7
Games Goals YC RC
35 5 5 0
With his industry and superb crossing ability, James Morrison will be a crucial threat for West Brom, and has the potential to provide goals and also score them himself.

Having netted in the Baggies' 1-1 draw with Tottenham in their last Premier League game, Morrison will be confident of continuing his good form.
Kevin Mirallas
Kevin Mirallas
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 11
Games Goals YC RC
27 6 3 0
After an explosive home debut which saw him score twice against Leyton Orient, Kevin Mirallas could be a new star at Goodison Park, and will be hopeful of adding to his tally so far this season.

The £6million signing from Olympiakos looks to have settled quickly, and will be a big threat to the Baggies’ defence - though he is likely to feature as a substitute.
Prediction
These teams are well-matched, with the Baggies looking impressive under new manager Steve Clarke. However, with Everton’s strike force looking potent already this season, they should have just enough to secure a win away from home.
Editor's Prediction
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0