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No joy for Everton against belligerent Baggies

Everton 0 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

Roberto Martinez is still waiting for his first victory as Everton manager following a frustrating goalless draw in his first home game in charge.

Employing his patient possession-based approach, the Blues dominated a resolute West Brom side but lacked urgency, particularly in the second half, and failed to create enough chances until Fellaini was denied agonisingly by the post late on and Coleman's cross came off the crossbar in stoppage time.

Match Summary

For Roberto Martinez's first competitive home match in charge of Everton, he selected an unchanged side to start against West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park.

The patient passing game soon gave way to scrappy stuff and head tennis once West Brom got possession. The Baggies were squaling for a penalty early on when Long appeared to trip over with Distin in attendance. Some good play down the right side ended withh a nice diving header from Pienaar, who the fired in a good low shot as Everton turned on their attacking intent.

After another spell of fruitless passing across the back (PATB), Fellaini launched a long ball for Jelavic but he had made his move a fraction early, his third time offside in the early exchanges. The Baggies were doing an effective job of closing Everton down and limiting opportunities for forward play that was beginning to frustrate the Everton crowd. But Barkley got them cheering with a dribble and shot-cross that bobbled wide.

Mirallas was all at sea, with a few strange balls showing a lack of understanding or poor execution. Coleman was having to work hard against Dorens to make space for his crosses as the gameplan seemed thwarted by West Brom's solidity.

Mulumbu gave away a stupid handball, earning a clear yellow card and a good free-kick that Mirallas executed poorly, putting it lamely into the wall and Baines fired the rebound wide. Barkley looked to have space for a drive but spooned it well over. But some great football set up Mirallas for a zinger that stung Foster's glove as he tipped it over.

A steal by Fellaini off Molumbu after excellent harrying by Barkley came so close to setting up the first goal but the WBA defence gave him no room to make a decent shot. Pienaar was getting more room and played in Coleman for a shot that Foster stopped well, but it was all really hard work against a very disciplined Baggies defence determined to stiffle Everton's strucured advances.

Olson was bear-hugging Fellaini with impugnity on every corner, one headed in by Osman causing barelyba half-chance that summed up a difficult half for The Blues.

The physical battle continued after the break, morrison getting a fortunate decision in a tussle with Coleman and the delivery almost crept in, Jelavic hacking it away. Everton got a better move down the left but the cross was just ahead of Jelavic, and Baines's corner was poor.

More good pressure led to some feirce shots and more corners, ending in a vicious Osman volley that careened off. Defenders head... No corner!! Unbelievable. Jelavic was then deliberatly blocked by Olson. No yellow card.

Some shocking reverse play by Jelavic let Mulumbu go on an unhindered run that almost saw WBA score. Everton were getting a little stretched at the back as they tried to apply pressure but it was West Brom who put together a neat move with Jacob forcing Howard to make a save. Surely Kone would provide something fresh but Martinez refused to make any chnges well past the hour mark.

subs , 72'

With 15 mins left, Foster developed some problem and Luke Daniels had to replace him, but creating real chaces was still very much ar a premium, with far too few Everton players getting into the WBA penalty area.

Everton were trying their best, and it looked like it would be good enough when Jagielka chipped a perfect ball for Fellaini to chest down at the far post, and sidefoot his shot past Foster... Only for it to smack the far post!

It was heart-in-mouth stuff as the end approached, WBA breaking in again. More corners at the other end, with Fellani getting close to a tipping point, such was his justified frustration over the unpunished illegal attention of the West Brom animals.

A fantastic cross by Coleman almost caught out Daniels, it hitting the bar. A Jagielka mistake almost spoiled the plot as an extremely determined West Brom side denied Roberto Martinez his first Everton victory in an extremely frustrating game that perhaps typifies how difficult it can be to win in the Premier League.

Everton: Howard, Baines, Jagielka (c), Distin, Coleman, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Barkley Y:85', Mirallas, Jelavic.
Subs: Joel, Heitinga, Kone, Deulofeu, Naismith, Stones, Anichebe. West Brom: Foster, Olsson (c), Yacob, Ridgewell, Morisson, Rosenberg (67' Vydra) , Long, Dorrans, Mulumbu, McAuley, Jones.
Subs: Popov, Sinclair, Brunt, Lugano, Daniels, Berahino.
Kick off: 3pm
Referee: Roger East

Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports

• Full Match Report
• Ken Buckley: From My Seat

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