Premier League

Goodison Park

Saturday 19th September 2020 -  12:30
Everton
- Days
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5
v
2
West Brom
Stream on WBA TV
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Key Events

Slaven Bilić’s Baggies are on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Merseyside to take on Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime (ko 12:30pm).

Everton

Their latest campaign

Everton finished in 12th spot last season. They ended the campaign five points shy of a top-10 finish and although their performances under new manager Carlo Ancelotti meant they only lost one of his first eight league games, the season run-in saw them win just three of their last 10 matches.

The Toffees had a good run in the Carabao Cup last term reaching the quarter-final before losing on penalties to Leicester. Anfield hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Everton and it proved to be the case again with Liverpool winning 1-0 in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

In the dugout

Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed a very prosperous managerial career since his first job in his native Italy in 1995. The 61-year-old began with the likes of Reggiana and Parma before moving onto European giants in Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Napoli.

The former midfielder has enjoyed many pieces of silverware as a coach, with the most memorable achievements coming at AC Milan and Real Madrid where he lifted the Champions League three times - twice with the Italians and once with the Spanish side respectively.

He has been in charge at Goodison Park since December 2019 after taking over as head coach from Marco Silva. So far he’s managed 23 games (W10, D6, L7). 

One to watch

Summer acquisition from Real Madrid James Rodríguez proved what he was all about on his Toffees debut last weekend. The Colombian was influential as Everton defeated Spurs on the opening day and has represented some of Europe’s biggest outfits during his career; playing at Porto, Monaco, Bayern and his standout performances for his country at the 2014 World Cup earned him a move to Los Blancos. Rodríguez’s time in Madrid was the most prolific period of his career, scoring 29 goals in 85 appearances at the Bernabeu.

Our last meeting

Albion last triumphed over Everton in 2016, returning to the West Midlands victorious thanks to the chest of Salomon Rondon who secured a 1-0 win for the Baggies on the road.

The last match between the two sides in 2018 ended 1-1, with Oumar Niasse cancelling out Jay Rodriguez’s opening strike.

Stats

Albion

Albion have lost just one of their last five visits to Goodison Park (W1, D3, L1).

Charlie Austin has four direct goal involvements in his last five encounters against the Merseyside club in the Premier League, scoring three and assisting once.

While defender Kieran Gibbs hasn’t lost a game when lining up against the Toffees in England’s top-flight (W4, D5, L0).

Everton

Everton have failed to win their last three games on home soil last term (W0, D2, L1).

There has only been two goalless games between Everton and the Baggies at Goodison in the last two decades.

Toffees No.1 and England international keeper Jordan Pickford hasn’t won a game during the three matches he’s faced the Baggies - drawing all three and conceding twice.

Head to head

  Albion wins Draws Everton wins
League 55 37 64
FA Cup 3 2 4
League Cup 1 0 1
Total 59 39 69

 

Our one to watch

Matheus Pereira will be eager to exhibit his attacking flair this weekend. 

The Brazilian midfielder was a pivotal figure in Albion's promotion charge last year, setting up 16 goals and netting eight himself in 42 Sky Bet Championship appearances. 

The 24-year-old wasn't involved during Wednesday's 3-0 victory in the Carabao Cup against Harrogate Town but after starting the opening day of the Premier League last Sunday, Pereira will be looking to announce himself on the top-flight stage and help Albion produce a positive response this Saturday. 

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

Romaine Sawyers

Albion fell to a 5-2 defeat against Everton after an action-packed clash on Merseyside in Saturday’s early kick-off.

A thunderous affair between the two sides saw Slaven Bilić’s men take the lead through a brilliant Grady Diangana effort after 10 minutes, but a VAR-awarded goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a James Rodriguez strike put the Toffees ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Moments later Kieran Gibbs was sent off for an off-the-ball altercation with Rodriguez, with Bilić also watching the second-half from the stands after Mike Dean handed out a red card to the Baggies boss.

Straight after the break Matheus Pereira curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner to level the scores, but Michael Keane prodded the hosts back ahead, before Calvert-Lewin completed his hat-trick, netting twice within five minutes just after the hour mark.

Bilić picked the same starting XI which played the Baggies’ Premier League season opener against Leicester, while in the opposing dugout Carlo Ancelotti also named an unchanged team from the Toffees’ 1-0 win against Spurs.

The Baggies had the first chance of the afternoon after a lively start at Goodison Park. Callum Robinson latched onto a poor Jordan Pickford pass and teed up Diangana, who drilled a low effort goalwards but Pickford managed to get himself behind it.

Moments later, Calvert-Lewin headed a good opportunity wide at the backpost from a corner, then down the other end Livermore lashed an effort from the edge of the box well over the bar.

But the Baggies did gain the lead in the opening 10 minutes.

Pereira pickpocketed the hosts deep in the Baggies’ half and found Diangana. The 22-year-old raced at the Everton defence, carrying the ball to the edge of their box before sweeping an effort across Pickford and into the corner of the net.

Ancelotti’s men looked for a way back into the game. Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin both went close before Allan hit an effort from distance which Johnstone got his body behind.

But then the Baggies twice could have doubled their advantage. Robinson stung the palms of Pickford with an effort from range, but the England shot-stopper managed to beat it away to safety.

Then, Bilić’s men were denied by the woodwork. Furlong swept a cross into the area and Jake Livermore controlled in the box before poking an effort at goal, which crashed against the post and ran wide.

Just after the half-hour mark, Everton were awarded a goal by VAR. Seamus Coleman burst down the wing and lifted a cross, which hit Furlong and bounced into the path of Calvert-Lewin, who tucked home from close range. The offside flag went up, but the goal was later given by VAR.

Just before the break, Richarlison found Rodriguez on the edge of the box, and the Colombian took a touch before picking the corner to put Everton ahead.

Things got worse moments later. On the stroke of half-time, Kieran Gibbs was given his marching orders after an off-the-ball altercation with Rodriguez. At half-time Bilić also received a red card from Mike Dean.

Immediately after the break, Pereira won a free-kick and hit a spectacular curling strike into the top corner to put 10-men Albion back on level terms.

On 53, Michael Keane poked the hosts ahead again turning in a rebound from close range following a free-kick.

Just after the hour mark, Rodriguez lofted a ball over the Albion backline which Richarlison squared, allowing Calvert-Lewin to prod home his second of the afternoon and open up a two-goal lead against Albion’s 10 men.

Lucas Digne crashed a free-kick off the bar before Calvert-Lewin bagged his hat-trick on 66, heading home from a corner. Richarlison had the ball in the back of the net ten minutes later, but he was offside.

ALBION: Johnstone; O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi; Furlong, Livermore, Sawyers (Field 75), Gibbs; Diangana (Edwards 70), Pereira (Phillips 70), Robinson.

Substitutes: Button, Kipré, Harper, Robson-Kanu.