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Everton 0 West Brom 0 - Report and pictures

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There was nothing for West Brom fans to get excited about at Goodison Park.

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But there was something to celebrate as Tony Pulis's side claimed a very handy point from a tenacious display on Merseyside, writes Steve Madeley.

And while there was little to get the travelling fans off their seats, they could at least smile that, for once, the boot was on the other foot.

For once, it was friction in the opposition camp that made the headlines as Kevin Mirallas's missed penalty grabbed all the attention.

And for a change it was the opposing manager at odds with his fans as the home faithful turned on Roberto Martinez.

On the national stage, Albion could enjoy their evening as the support act.

But those who follow the Baggies more closely will have been delighted at the spirit, organisation and discipline on show, even if worries remain about the dearth of pace and flair in the ranks.

With Claudio Yacob immense in midfield and Joleon Lescott and Gareth McAuley excellent at the back, they soaked up pressure and earned their point.

In a scrappy opening, the only incident of note came off the field as, on the 13th anniversary of his death, Albion fans' now traditional applause for legend Jeff Astle took on extra poignancy.

Fans of Everton – the club against whom 'The King' netted his most famous goal – joined in sportingly.

Moments earlier they had seen left-back Leighton Baines try his luck with a long-range effort that Ben Foster in the Albion goal dealt with easily.

The Baggies were pinned back for long spells, with leading scorer Saido Berahino deployed out wide.

He was asked to track Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, leaving him operating as an auxiliary left-back for much of the time.

Seamus Coleman of Everton and Stephane Sessegnon of West Bromwich Albion.

It meant the Baggies, and Berahino in particular, were worryingly deep, but one long clearance from the striker did spark a rare attack for the visitors midway through the half.

Anichebe controlled it and fed James Morrison, who picked out Andre Wisdom surging into the Everton penalty area.

But the young defender's touch let him down and he was crowded out as he attempted to create an opening to shoot.

At the other end, the hosts forced a free-kick which Mirallas whipped towards the top corner from 25 yards, but Foster made another comfortable claim beneath his crossbar.

The entertainment levels remained at rock bottom with Albion pinned back in their own half, but they were keeping the home side's chances down to a minimum.

Former Baggies loanee Romelu Lukaku was being subdued as he attempted to inspire his current club.

And, when he did find room to turn on the edge of the area, his shot was blocked by Toffees old boy Lescott.

At the other end, Berahino found himself on the end of a rare Baggies burst forwards but his shot deflected off Coleman and trickled through to Joel Robles in the home goal.

There was controversy just before the break, however, as Lescott was penalised for handball as he tried to clear a Coleman shot.

The hosts were handed the chance to open the scoring from the spot, but Mirallas grabbed the ball ahead of regular taker Baines and drilled his penalty wide.

The Belgian did not re-emerge for the second half, hinting at a frank exchange of views at half-time.

Craig Gardner of West Bromwich Albion and Gareth Barry of Everton.

Early in the second-half, James Morrison was penalised for a foul on the edge of the area but Ross Barkley's resulting free-kick deflected wide harmlessly for a corner.

Otherwise, the opening half-hour of the second period was a non-event, with the pattern continuing from the opening period as the Baggies were forced to defend for long periods.

Pulis even withdrew Berahino, as he attempted to shore up his midfield with the introduction of Graham Dorrans.

But the hosts should still have gone in front with 15 minutes to play when Barkley found Naismith out wide.

His cross found Lukaku, who leaned back as he shot and fired high and wide when he should have hit the target.

Chances had been at a premium for the Baggies, but they had a presentable one in the closing stages.

A neat passing move ended with Andre Wisdom galloping down the flank and crossing for substitute Stephane Sessegnon, who scuffed a shot when he should have at least forced Robles into a save.

Brown Ideye stepped off the Baggies bench late on and produced a lively cameo with some smart old-up play.

But he could not force a chance for his side and the Baggies had to settle for a point they would gladly have taken when the evening began.

The evening was most notable for a half-time appearance by a Hollywood film crew, taking crowd shots for the latest Rocky movie.

There was little drama on the field. But Pulis, whose players remain unbeaten on his watch, will not care one jot.

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