West Bromwich Albion (A)

West Bromwich Albion vs Everton

Premier League

The Hawthorns

Saturday September 13th 3pm

For once we've had an international break where we havent been weakened by injuries! Lukaku didnt play for Belgium to work on his fitness, Stones, Jagielka and Baines played their part in 2 clean sheets for England, Christian Atsu scored a winning goal for Ghana, and Aiden McGeady scored both for Ireland in a win in Georgia. The transfer window ended fairly disappointingly, though it could have been worse, we nearly signed Tom Cleverley! Remains to be seen if our squad is big enough to see us through to Christmas.

Team News

Romelu Lukaku is expected to be fit to face his former club after skipping internationals for treatment on a toe injury. Samuel Eto'o and Leon Osman are doubtful. Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo both played a behind closed doors game this week but are still a way short of match fitness. 

Howard

Coleman-Jagielka-Distin-Baines

Barry-McCarthy
Mirallas-Naismith-McGeady
Lukaku

Ones to Watch

Jonas Olsson, captain. One of those players who really makes you wonder about the supposed quality of the Premier League when a yard dog like him has been around in it for so long...

Ben Foster, goalkeeper. Back in the England fold, and like a lot of keepers, seems to be getting better the older he gets.

Craig Gardner, midfield. Bargain signing from Sunderland, one of those players who is pretty steady and versatile, while always having a knack for popping up with a goal.

Youssef Mulumbu, midfield. Pretty underrated player who has a bit of a thing for scoring against us!

Ideye Brown, striker. Club record signing who hasnt scored yet...how many times have I heard that over the years?

The Ex Factor

Victor Anichebe (Everton 2005-2013)

Appearances: 74 (94)

Goals: 26

 Red Cards: 1

(West Bromwich Albion 2013-Present)

Appearances: 13 (13)

Goals: 3

Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich Albion 2012-2013)

Appearances: 23 (15)

Goals: 17

(Everton 2013-Present)

Appearances: 34 (2)

Goals: 16

Joleon Lescott (Everton 2006-2009)

Appearances: 138 (7)

Goals: 13

(West Bromwich Albion 2014-Present)

Appearances: 0

The Stadium

The Hawthorns, home since 1900.

Capacity: 26,500

Record Attendance: 64,815 vs Arsenal (FA Cup, March 1937)

Visits: 7 (2005-2014)

The Hawthorns Review

Previous Meetings

(Premier League, January 20th 2014)

West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton

(Lugano 75: Mirallas 41)

(Premier League, September 1st 2012)

West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Everton

(Long 65, McAuley 82)

(Premier League, January 1st 2012)

West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Everton

(Anichebe 87)

(Premier League, May 14th 2011)

West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Everton

(Mulumbu 10)
Bilyaletdinov sent off 77

(Premier League, August 23rd 2008)

West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton

(Bednar (P) 89: Osman 65, Yakubu 76)

Last Time

West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton (Lugano 75: Mirallas 41) Premier League, January 20th 2014

One of last season's more frustrating away games. Mainly because we were so utterly comfortable in the first half and just fell away and let West Brom grow to the extent that we were almost hanging on for a point at the end. Mirallas gave us a deserved lead just before half time, while West Brom offered absolutely nothing, so we were all ready for a good second half and seeing it out with maybe another goal or two. Couldnt have been more different. West Brom were still poor but we almost stopped playing, and it allowed West Brom to gain their confidence. By the time Diego Lugano headed in a late-ish equaliser, it had been coming. We had a last minute winner disallowed for offside just to frustrate even futher.

Memorable Meeting

West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Everton (Anichebe 87) Premier League, January 1st 2012

For 87 minutes, this one of the worst games Ive ever been to! New Years Day, early kick off, and two utterly dreadful teams playing out a shocking game of football, that onl promised to get worse when we threw on Victor Anichebe and Denis Stracqualursi in search of a winner! But it somehow paid off, Stracqualursi's presence caused a mistake in the Baggies defence, and Anichebe scuffed in a scruffy late winner that was celebrated like a World Cup winner! 

Prediction

We dont do good at West Brom usually. They've had a poor start to the season themselves, so as long as we've sorted out our defensive problems, got to be looking for a first win. West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Everton