The Baggies went into this game after a great point was salvaged at White Hart Lane last week, and they had a less than comfortable victory at League 1 side Yeovil in midweek.
Steve Clarke decided to start with Dorrans and Fortune wide, alongside Morrison, Mulumbu and Yacob in midfield. The back 4 stayed the same and Long started up top on his own.
Albion looked the more shaky of the teams in the opening 15 minutes as possession was wasted and Steven Reid was caught out a couple of times by Jelavic and Gibson. A challenge from behind from Yacob on Jelavic, as he entered the Albion box, was quickly waved away by the ref to Albion’s relief.
Albion then began to keep the ball, spreading it wide as often as possible with Ridgewell happy to attack down the left. A deep cross nearly caught out Foster and the defence as Fellaini was unlucky to see his looping header land on the roof of the net.
Then Albion started to string a few passes together and a good move down the middle resulted in Dorrans with the option to thread Long or Morrison through, he chose Morrison but the Scotsman was unlucky as the ball was just out of his reach. This got the Albion fans going and seemed to lift the team, a quick move down the left resulted in a left wing cross from Ridgewell which Shane Long met superbly only to see his header cannon back of the crossbar and land almost out of the 18yard box, this was the chance the Albion were looking for and many were saying he had to score. Personally I think it was a difficult effort as the ball from Ridgewell was pacy and Long had to react quick to get his effort on target.
Everton again had a headed chance as Naismith delivered a teasing ball but again Jelavic's effort was weak and Foster gathered it comfortably. After a long ball from Reid was flicked on by Mulumbu, the ball landed at Morrison's feet and he seemed to have acres of space but his first touch let him down and led him closer to the defender. But Morrison managed to avoid the sliding defender and skip past him, his shot producing a brilliant save from Tim Howard. Howard seemed to have been going across goal but stuck up a big left glove to deny Albion the lead.
After the break
Kevin Mirallas was bought on for his Everton debut and he looked lively in the opening minutes of the second period. A low cross deceived the Albion backline and found it' way to Fellaini, who could only balloon his effort over the bar, a very good chance for The Toffees to take the lead.
The opening goal came seconds later as Ridgewell played a neat ball down the line to substitute Odemwingie. The Nigerian fired across an accurate low left footed pass to Shane Long and the Irishman was there to tap in the opener, it was on a plate.
Albion then began to look good for their lead and Yacob went close as he dragged a long range effort left of Howard’s goal. Albion again came close when Mulumbu struck a 20yard drive which was brilliantly tipped over by Howard.
However, the resulting corner was timed brilliantly by Gareth McAuley as he lost Fellaini to head Albion's second goal inches in front of Tim Howard. The closest Everton came in the second half was when a drive from Jagielka went through everyone, but was blocked away by Fellaini who will have been disappointed with his second half performance.
On reflection
All in all it was another great victory for the Baggies, although the game wasn't as entertaining as the Liverpool tie in the first half, Albion looked good for the three points, especially after taking the lead. Personally, I wanted Billy Jones to have a chance as I think he's a good attacking option, although Reid offers a better physical option. I was happy when Jones came on, although he gave the ball away a few times at first and he looked happier going forward.
There wasn't really a stand out man for me today although I think Olsson, Yacob and Long worked their socks off. Being a season ticket holder for 14 years now I think our best signing has to be Ben Foster. Although he wasn't really tested much, I believe every attribute he has is brilliant: his shot stopping, cross taking and even at times against Everton he'd sprint his socks off to prevent a corner.
Hopefully after the international break the Baggies can continue their good start to the season and get something at Craven Cottage.
Boing Boing.
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