Express & Star

Five things we learned at Everton 1 West Brom 1

Albion extended their unbeaten run to three games with a 1-1 with Everton at Goodison Park. Here are five talking points from the match.

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Jay Rodriguez. (AMA)

1 STRIKERS ARE IMPROVING

It was Salomon Rondon’s best performance in an Albion shirt since his hat-trick against Swansea more than a year ago, and Jay Rodriguez notched his third goal in five games too. The Baggies could still use another attacker in this window, but there are signs that these two are starting to build a partnership. Rondon’s finishing leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s been brilliant at bringing his team-mates into play now they are much nearer to him. Rodriguez’s finish on Saturday suggests he has the poacher’s instinct.

2 GRZEGORZ KRYCHOWIAK FINALLY SHOWING HIS PEDIGREE

He flattered to deceive under Tony Pulis and Pardew wasn’t convinced at first, but against Everton, the Paris Saint-Germain man put in a box-to-box performance that lived up to his reputation. Nicking balls on the edge of the area, he was driving Albion forward on the counter, and it was refreshing to see him actually threatening the opposition’s goal. But his best performance in an Albion shirt was capped off with that gorgeous first-time pass to Rodriguez with the outside of his boot. More of that please Greg.

3 ALBION’S SQUAD FULL OF DECENT BLOKES

Rondon’s immediate reaction to James McCarthy’s leg break revealed what kind of person he is, and now he’s vowed to visit the Everton midfielder in hospital. Rodriguez, too, comforted McCarthy while the home side’s medical team rushed onto the pitch. Tony Pulis always put character high on the list of desirable attributes during his recruitment and whether it’s James McClean’s charity work or Ben Foster’s cycle rides, it’s fair to say the majority of Albion’s players are ones supporters can be proud of.

4 HOME GAMES WILL MAKE OR BREAK THIS SEASON

Albion might have won this game on another day, but a point at Goodison Park is always a good one. However, because of results elsewhere, the Baggies slipped further behind 17th place. No top-tier team has drawn more games than the Baggies this season but draws – however useful they are at ticking the team along – are now no longer enough. The next five home games against Southampton, Huddersfield, Leicester, Burnley and Swansea will define this season. Albion probably need to win three of those.

5 CYRILLE’S IMPACT REACHED FAR BEYOND THE WEST MIDLANDS BORDERS

Everton are a proper club, who do things the proper way. Not only did they impeccably observe a minute’s applause for Cyrille Regis, they let Albion fans take banners into the ground and even had a tribute to him at one corner of the stadium. But that, coupled with tributes much further afield like Celtic Park, shows just how widespread his legacy is. Football’s governing bodies, take note.