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West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton
By Jemma Tappenden August 24 2008
Tony Mowbray made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at the Emirates last week, bringing in the fully fit Robert Koren to replace Marek Cech in midfield and Gianni Zuiverloon in place of Carl Hoefkens at right back, as his side prepared to take on last seasons 5th placed Everton at the Hawthorns. Moyes made one change from his side which lost to Blackburn last week, Baxter replacing Valente.

Record £4.7 million signing Borja Valero did not complete his signing in time to feature - he watched from the stands.

Albion threw their all at Everton in the opening 45 minutes, but found the resilient Toffees side hard to break down.  In the opening ten minutes long range efforts from Do-Heon Kim and Abdoulaye Meite were the best Albion could muster.

That was still better than Everton however, who took 15 minutes to record an effort on goal, with Osman failing to trouble Carson as he dragged a 20 yard effort wide of the target.

The Baggies continued to press, and soon they had Everton's goalie Tim Howard earning his money as he scrambled across the goal mouth to divert a 20 yard effort from Koren round his post after clever play from Miller and Brunt had provided the midfielder with a goal opportunity.

West Brom were not afraid to go for goal, and Brunt tried his luck with a 30 yard free kick in the 23rd minute, which went over the target without troubling Howard.  But Howard was alert just minutes later, when a quickly taken free kick from Koren almost gifted Paul Robinson a goal before the Everton goalie dashed to take the ball from his grasp.

Toward the end of the half Kim got the better of both Leighton and Baxter before floating in a cross that was just too much for the waiting Miller to reach.  Moments later Brunt tried another 30 yard belter, this time leaving Howard who was stranded relieved to see the ball fly just inches over.

As the half drew to a close Zuiverloon's centre shaved the top of Miller's head, leaving the score at 0-0 when Albion could have sneaked a half time advantage.

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Everton

The Baggies continued to press after the break, continuing their good efforts of the first half.  The best chance of the opening stages falling to Miller in the 52nd minute when he unleashed a 25 yard strike which Howard did well to hold.

Just minutes later Albion proved their worthiness and Premiership opponents when Brunt played a sublime throughball to lone striker Miller in the box.  Howard could only palm away Miller's effort, although Everton fans were relieved to see him gather the ball on a second attempt.

It was still all Albion, and like the first half Everton were struggling to create chances.  The did create one in the 63rd minute however, with Zuiverloon making his first appearance for the Baggies having returned from Olympic duty, proved his £3.2 million worth with a superb last ditch challenge to prevent Osman.  The loose ball broke to Arteta, who squared for substitute James Vaughan.  Abdoulaye Meite was on hand to divert the ball wide however.

From the resulting corner Everton's Jack Rudwell netted the ball, but his effort was canceled out after he was adjudged to have fouled Paul Robinson.

A minute later however Everton did snatch a lead.  A poor clearance from Meite allowed Arteta to pounce on the ball.  He supplied Osman who skipped easily past Zuiverloon before sliding the ball past Scott Carson to give Everton an undeserved 64th minute lead, with what had been their first shot on target.

Up until their goal Everton had been relatively uninspiring, although revived by a lead in the game they started to press Albion.  Mowbray made a double change in the 70th minute, Kim and Koren making way for Bednar and MacDonald.

But just six minutes later the Merseysiders doubled their lead.  A dreadful miscommunication between Carson and Meite allowed Yakubu to score his 100th Premiership goal from a long punt up the field from Joleon Lescott.

Bednar might have clawed a goal back in the 86th minute, but he miss hit his effort from Brunt's cross.  Three minutes later however he scored Albion's first Premiership goal of the season when he netted a penalty awarded for a hand ball in the box by Phil Neville.

It was Albion's last sniff at goal, leaving them with no points after two games played.  Albion face an away trip to Bolton Wanderers next weekend, where they can expect no favours from former boss Gary Megson.

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton

Bednar (89)

Osman (65)

Yakubu (76)

Attendance: 26,190

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