West Bromwich Albion against Everton

Campbell's strength helps him work some space in the penalty area. He cuts the ball back to Gera, tearing in from the other side of the box, but his shot is well saved by Martyn, flying across his goal-line.

West Brom have done an excellent job of preotecting their lead, standing resolute at the back and running the ball clear at every opportunity.

Kilbane sends over a deep cross towards Watson at the far post, and the sub manages to head well back across goal. Clement is on-hand to clear however, with four Everton men waiting behind him.

SUB: Watson on for Stubbs for Everton, Moore on for Richardson for West Brom. Robson decides to send on his massive defender for the final few minutes, obviously concerned about the threat in the air from Everton.

Clement and Robinson get a little over-confident in trying to play their way clear at the back.

West Brom are preparing to make another chance, though it won't be Earnshaw who makes his entrance.

Greening is doing an excellent job of relieving the pressure on his defence with some intelligent running and passing in the Everton half.

Cahill cuts back on to his left foot, and Gera is forced to head behind for a corner after being put under enormous pressure at the back post.

Everton are piling the pressure on West Brom now, sending plenty of high, deep balls in to the box for Ferguson and Bent to contest at the far post.

Richardson breaks down the West Brom left and the visitors have a three-on-one situation. The Manchester United loan player choses the wrong option, however, attempting to slide in Horsfield with Gera in more space in the centre.

A mistake from Clement allows Bent through on goal down the right channel. He takes his shot early, and Hoult does very well to save his swervig effort, low to his left.

Weir is caught by Gera after making a strong challenge on the edge of the Everton penalty box. He requires some treatment to a blow to head.

I think we can expect to see plenty of high balls in to the West Brom box in the last quarter of an hour. Everton win another corner, but Bent heads high over the bar.

SUB: Ferguson on for Carsley. The Premiership's most-used substitute enters to try and give Everton a physical presence in the final stages.

Clement again looks a little uncertain under pressure from Bent, but he manages to head the ball back to Hoult to ease the pressure.

Gera and Greening combine on the left, but Greening delays his pass to Horsfield too long and Everton eventually nick possession back from their hosts.

Everton prepare to make a double change while Stubbs gingerly checks out the damage to his ankle on the sidelines.

Stubbs is down receiving treatment after being caught by former Everton team-mate Campbell.

An enormous clearance from Martyn bounces behind the back-tracking West Brom defenders. Bent challenges for the ball with Hoult, who collects well.

Hoult comes out and collects the corner with ease. He throws the ball out quickly, and West Brom counter through Albrechtsen. The right-back cuts inside and drills a shot against the foot of the post.

Everton are committing more and more players forward. They win a corner when Gera is forced to head behind a deep cross.

Cahill is pulled back in the area by Gera. The Everton midfielder throws himself to the ground, but Referee Poll isn't interested in the visitors' penalty shouts.

Greening delivers another good corner in to the box, but Robinson gives away a free-kick on the edge of the box as he challenged for the half-clearance.

Robinson slides in strongly on Osman, though he wins the ball and West Brom counter. They have real belief in themselves now.

Gaardsoe swings a great ball out to Horsfield on the left wing, but the big striker can't take the ball in his stride.

Everton press forward in search of a quick reply, but West Brom hold firm and clear their lines. The atmosphere inside the ground has certainly lifted.

If ever a game needed a goal, it's this one. Surely that must force Everton to push forward more, and that in turn might create some space for them on the counter-attack.

GOAL! Greening whips in a sensational cross from the left wing, and Gera attacks the ball at the far post and buries his header low in to the corne.r

The first real move of any quality sees three sharp passes on the edge of the box between Arteta and Bent work some shooting space for the striker. Typically, however, Bent crashes his shot well over the bar from 12 yards out.

Greening whips the set-piece in to the box, but Martyn collects very well underneath his own crossbar.

Richardson goes down as he is hit by a flailing arm from Carsley. Weir is then forced to put the free-kick out for a corner, under pressure from Campbell.

A lovely flicked ball from Bent finds Kilbane down the left wing, and his cross towards Osman is forced out for a corner. Hoult looks a little uncertain under the set-piece, but the home side just about get the ball clear.

Martyn comes a long way from his goal-line to collect a high cross in to the box. Campbell is given off-side as he chases another long ball.

Stubbs is down and needs some treatment on a knee injury. Earnshaw and Kanu warm up on the sidelines.

Anyone who claims that the Premiership is the best league in the world should get a copy of this match. I think my brain is seeping out of my ears.

Surely Robson can't keep Earnshaw, West Brom's leading scorer this season, on the bench much longer?

The free-kick in to the box from Arteta is poor, and doesn't clear the forst West Brom defender. Everton had thrown plenty of players forward, too.

Arteta gets in front of Albrechtsen down the Everton left, and wins a free-kick when the West Brom man drags him down.

A moment that perhaps sums up this game: Albrechtsen, under no pressure at all, slices a simple lofted pass way out of play. Simply dreadful.

Good, strong play on the half-way line from Horsefield releases Robinson, but his left-foot cross is straight at Martyn. West Brom didn't have a single player in the Everton box anyway.

Everton are certainly playing the more composed football, but they haven't managed to find a quality ball in the final third.

Finally West Brom conjure up a decent cross through Greening; a curling ball across the face of the six-yard box, but there is no-one anywhere close to getting on the end of the centre.

Bent again almost takes advantage of a moment's hesitation between Clement and Hoult, before the defender belatedly decides to hook the ball clear.

Greening and Richardson work a little space down the West Brom left, but Richardson's left-foot cross is hopelessly mis-hit and Martyn collects under no pressure at all.

Albrechtsen gets forward down the right-hand side, but he can't beat Yobo, who wins a throw.

Everton kick off. Let's hope for a better second period. How long will Bryan Robson leave Robert Earnshaw on the bench? Stay here, and find out.

HALF TIME: A truly awful half of football finally comes to an end. Plenty of spirit, but there has been a complete lack of quality in the final third.

Arteta is booked after Referee Poll deems he has committed one too many fouls.

Yobo's first contribution to the game is to give away a corner. Everton clear, but West Brom collect the second ball and pile the pressure on Martyn with a great cross. Stubbs eventually heads clear and the crowd finally seem to find their voice.

Three minutes of stoppage time. Yobo has moved over to right-back, with Hibbert switching to the left.

SUB: Pistone off, Yobo on. The Italian defender's injury is serious enough for him to be replaced.

Horsefield drifts out to the right and is found by Richardson's pass. There is no-one in the middle for him to cross to, however, though he does win a corner off Carsley.

Pistone injures his thigh as he cuts out a pass and gives away a corner. He leaves the field for treatment, and Everton clear the danger.

Gera sends over a succession of crosses towards the waiting Horsefield and Campbell. Unofortunately, his centres get increasingly worse, and Everton hold out.

Gera attempts to slide a pass through to Horsefield, but Kilbane intercepts. He runs with the ball over the half-way line, but his pass in to Bent is mis-directed. In fact, it was rubbish.

Hibbert and Robinson collide as they challenge for a ball in the left-channel. Goal-kick is given, though the West Brom man might think himself unlucky not to win a free-kick.

Arteta breaks down the right channel and finds Osman on the wing. The youngster cuts in on to his left foot and tries to cross to Bent, but his ball is over-hit and drifts out of play.

Kilbane strikes the free-kick, but Gaardsoe gets in the way of the shot and West Brom clear.

Robinson is livid after Referee Poll decides he has fouled Cahill 30 yards from goal. The veins in the side of his head throb in anger as he puts his case to the official.

Richardson breaks at pace through the middle of the park, but his pass to Horsefield finds the burly striker in an off-side position.

Yet another long ball from the West Brom defence drifts over the head of Horsefield, who looks more than a little bemused with the situation.

Gera cracks a shot from 30 yards, but it strikes Carsley straight on the head on the egde of the area. He crumples to the ground, and requires a little treatment from the Everton physio. A splash of water later, and he's back on his feet.

There has been 18 fouls in the first half-hour. That stat alone tells a story. A horrible, boring story.

Honestly, this game has been dreadful. The sort of game that makes me want to spend half-time stabbing myself in the arm with a plastic fork.

Bent is adjudged to have fouled Robinson, perhaps some retribution for what happened a few moments ago when the West Brom left-back was in the centre of a small confrontation in the centre-circle.

Arteta leaves the field to have a bit of treatment on an ankle injury he picked up when fouled by Richardson. He looks uncomfortable.

Now Richardson is booked for a late trip on a rampaging Arteta. The foul results in a minor confrontation between five or six players, but it's nothing to get hot under the collar about. Nothing on the scale of Dyer v Bowyer, that's for sure.

Cahill is booked after sliding in on the touchline on Albrechtsen. He doesn't look incredibly happy about the decision, though it was a fairly agricultural challenge.

Gera takes the set-piece right-footed, but his shot doesn't clear the wall and Everton clear their lines. Disappointing effort from the Hungarian.

Campbell gets in front of Weir and wins a free-kick when the Scot is adjudged to have pushed him. Dangerous position, and the home side have plenty of options here.

A moment of mis-communication between Hoult, Gaardsoe and Clement almost allows Bent to steal in on the edge of the West Brom area, though the home side do eventually get themselves together and clear the danger.

Everton eventually clear the corner, though not after a moment of sloppiness that almost allows Greening a shooting chance.

Gera gets on the end of a loose ball just outside the Everton area, and his ambitious right-foot volley is deflected over.

Richardson goes down after being tripped by Arteta. The rhythm of the game has suffered from a number of niggly fouls.

A nice spell of passing in the Everton midfield results in Osman finding Carsley 25 yards out. The shaven-headed battler his a right-foot effort first time, but it drifts wide of the far post.

Everton are beginning to enjoy a little more possession, though they are yet to do anything with it. Cahill is becoming increasingly influential, thugh there are few options for him.

There is a strangely quiet atmosphere inside the Hawthorns; I think both sets of fans know how important this game is to their clubs.

West Brom have a couple of players warming up on the sidelines, though I don't think they have any injury concerns at the moment.

West Brom win a free-kick for a foul on Greening. Clement takes the set-piece, passes to Richardson, who slices a 30-yard shot some distance wide. Awful effort from the youngster.

Despite their palpable lack of pace up front, West Brom are consistently playing long balls in to the channels for Horsefield and Campbell to chase.

Bent finds some space in behind Clement, and receives a nice chipped ball over the top. He spins and fires a well-struck shot but it is straight at Hoult, who collects at the second attempt.

Hoult claims a deep cross well, under pressure from Bent at the far post. Horsefield continues his battle with the Everton defence as he fouls Pistone in the visitors' half.

West Brom have defended well in the opening stages. Everton aren't getting many players forward to support Bent, but the home side are very quick to get on the second ball.

Oooh! Gaardsoe hits the bar with a header from six yards out as the free-kick came curling in to the box. The ball falls to safety, and Everton breathe again.

Horsefield is felled by Pistone as they chase another long ball in to the corner. It was a needless challenge from the Italian, and gives the home side the chance to swing a dangerous ball in to the box.

Bent collapses on the edge of the area, but the referee decides against giving a free-kick.

Greening swings over a right-foot cross from the left wing, but Stubbs heads clear with Campbell lurking behind him.

A very uneventful start to the match, it has to be said. Both sides are gifting possession away far too easily, and lacking creativity when they do search for a telling pass.

Horsefield and Stubbs clash again as they chase a long ball punted down the channel. The West Brom man just gives his marker a shove in the back, sending Stubbs in to the advertising hoardings.

West Brom have got a real Manchester United connection happening this season. Wallwork, Greening and Richardson were all United players, while manager Robson was a legend for the Reds.

Horsefield goes down under pressure from Stubbs. The striker went down very easily, especially considering how big he is. I heard a rumour that he wrestles bears in his spare time.

Stubbs plays a free-kick in to the area, where Bent had lost his marker, Neil Clement. Bent tries to bring the ball down on his chest, but the defender recovers to rob the ball at the last minute.

Osman beats Greening inside the area but is hustled off the ball as he attempts to find a yard of space.

Everton, meanwhile, need the points badly themselves after two recent defeats have given Liverpool renewed hope of pinching the fourth Champions League spot.

So, West Brom kick off knowing that a victory would be a massive step towards preserving their Premiership status.

Everton boss David Moyes was boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Mikel Arteta and he replaced Joseph Yobo.

Team news just in: Robert Earnshaw is again on the bench for West Brom, despite his hat-trick against Charlton a fortnight ago,as Bryan Robson opts for Campbell and Horsefield up front.

Join us live at 16.15 as West Brom battle to stay in the Premiership and Everton attempt to cling on to fourth place.

Gera and Greening combine on the left, but Greening delays his pass to Horsfield too long and Everton eventually nick possession back from their hosts.

Everton prepare to make a double change while Stubbs gingerly checks out the damage to his ankle on the sidelines.

Stubbs is down receiving treatment after being caught by former Everton team-mate Campbell.

An enormous clearance from Martyn bounces behind the back-tracking West Brom defenders. Bent challenges for the ball with Hoult, who collects well.

Hoult comes out and collects the corner with ease. He throws the ball out quickly, and West Brom counter through Albrechtsen. The right-back cuts inside and drills a shot against the foot of the post.

Everton are committing more and more players forward. They win a corner when Gera is forced to head behind a deep cross.

Cahill is pulled back in the area by Gera. The Everton midfielder throws himself to the ground, but Referee Poll isn't interested in the visitors' penalty shouts.

Greening delivers another good corner in to the box, but Robinson gives away a free-kick on the edge of the box as he challenged for the half-clearance.

Robinson slides in strongly on Osman, though he wins the ball and West Brom counter. They have real belief in themselves now.

Gaardsoe swings a great ball out to Horsfield on the left wing, but the big striker can't take the ball in his stride.

Everton press forward in search of a quick reply, but West Brom hold firm and clear their lines. The atmosphere inside the ground has certainly lifted.

If ever a game needed a goal, it's this one. Surely that must force Everton to push forward more, and that in turn might create some space for them on the counter-attack.

GOAL! Greening whips in a sensational cross from the left wing, and Gera attacks the ball at the far post and buries his header low in to the corne.r

The first real move of any quality sees three sharp passes on the edge of the box between Arteta and Bent work some shooting space for the striker. Typically, however, Bent crashes his shot well over the bar from 12 yards out.

Greening whips the set-piece in to the box, but Martyn collects very well underneath his own crossbar.

Richardson goes down as he is hit by a flailing arm from Carsley. Weir is then forced to put the free-kick out for a corner, under pressure from Campbell.

A lovely flicked ball from Bent finds Kilbane down the left wing, and his cross towards Osman is forced out for a corner. Hoult looks a little uncertain under the set-piece, but the home side just about get the ball clear.

Martyn comes a long way from his goal-line to collect a high cross in to the box. Campbell is given off-side as he chases another long ball.

Stubbs is down and needs some treatment on a knee injury. Earnshaw and Kanu warm up on the sidelines.

Anyone who claims that the Premiership is the best league in the world should get a copy of this match. I think my brain is seeping out of my ears.

Surely Robson can't keep Earnshaw, West Brom's leading scorer this season, on the bench much longer?

The free-kick in to the box from Arteta is poor, and doesn't clear the forst West Brom defender. Everton had thrown plenty of players forward, too.

Arteta gets in front of Albrechtsen down the Everton left, and wins a free-kick when the West Brom man drags him down.

A moment that perhaps sums up this game: Albrechtsen, under no pressure at all, slices a simple lofted pass way out of play. Simply dreadful.

Good, strong play on the half-way line from Horsefield releases Robinson, but his left-foot cross is straight at Martyn. West Brom didn't have a single player in the Everton box anyway.

Everton are certainly playing the more composed football, but they haven't managed to find a quality ball in the final third.

Finally West Brom conjure up a decent cross through Greening; a curling ball across the face of the six-yard box, but there is no-one anywhere close to getting on the end of the centre.

Bent again almost takes advantage of a moment's hesitation between Clement and Hoult, before the defender belatedly decides to hook the ball clear.

Greening and Richardson work a little space down the West Brom left, but Richardson's left-foot cross is hopelessly mis-hit and Martyn collects under no pressure at all.

Albrechtsen gets forward down the right-hand side, but he can't beat Yobo, who wins a throw.

Everton kick off. Let's hope for a better second period. How long will Bryan Robson leave Robert Earnshaw on the bench? Stay here, and find out.

HALF TIME: A truly awful half of football finally comes to an end. Plenty of spirit, but there has been a complete lack of quality in the final third.

Arteta is booked after Referee Poll deems he has committed one too many fouls.

Yobo's first contribution to the game is to give away a corner. Everton clear, but West Brom collect the second ball and pile the pressure on Martyn with a great cross. Stubbs eventually heads clear and the crowd finally seem to find their voice.

Three minutes of stoppage time. Yobo has moved over to right-back, with Hibbert switching to the left.

SUB: Pistone off, Yobo on. The Italian defender's injury is serious enough for him to be replaced.

Horsefield drifts out to the right and is found by Richardson's pass. There is no-one in the middle for him to cross to, however, though he does win a corner off Carsley.

Pistone injures his thigh as he cuts out a pass and gives away a corner. He leaves the field for treatment, and Everton clear the danger.

Gera sends over a succession of crosses towards the waiting Horsefield and Campbell. Unofortunately, his centres get increasingly worse, and Everton hold out.

Gera attempts to slide a pass through to Horsefield, but Kilbane intercepts. He runs with the ball over the half-way line, but his pass in to Bent is mis-directed. In fact, it was rubbish.

Hibbert and Robinson collide as they challenge for a ball in the left-channel. Goal-kick is given, though the West Brom man might think himself unlucky not to win a free-kick.

Arteta breaks down the right channel and finds Osman on the wing. The youngster cuts in on to his left foot and tries to cross to Bent, but his ball is over-hit and drifts out of play.

Kilbane strikes the free-kick, but Gaardsoe gets in the way of the shot and West Brom clear.

Robinson is livid after Referee Poll decides he has fouled Cahill 30 yards from goal. The veins in the side of his head throb in anger as he puts his case to the official.

Richardson breaks at pace through the middle of the park, but his pass to Horsefield finds the burly striker in an off-side position.

Yet another long ball from the West Brom defence drifts over the head of Horsefield, who looks more than a little bemused with the situation.

Gera cracks a shot from 30 yards, but it strikes Carsley straight on the head on the egde of the area. He crumples to the ground, and requires a little treatment from the Everton physio. A splash of water later, and he's back on his feet.

There has been 18 fouls in the first half-hour. That stat alone tells a story. A horrible, boring story.

Honestly, this game has been dreadful. The sort of game that makes me want to spend half-time stabbing myself in the arm with a plastic fork.

Bent is adjudged to have fouled Robinson, perhaps some retribution for what happened a few moments ago when the West Brom left-back was in the centre of a small confrontation in the centre-circle.

Arteta leaves the field to have a bit of treatment on an ankle injury he picked up when fouled by Richardson. He looks uncomfortable.

Now Richardson is booked for a late trip on a rampaging Arteta. The foul results in a minor confrontation between five or six players, but it's nothing to get hot under the collar about. Nothing on the scale of Dyer v Bowyer, that's for sure.

Cahill is booked after sliding in on the touchline on Albrechtsen. He doesn't look incredibly happy about the decision, though it was a fairly agricultural challenge.

Gera takes the set-piece right-footed, but his shot doesn't clear the wall and Everton clear their lines. Disappointing effort from the Hungarian.

Campbell gets in front of Weir and wins a free-kick when the Scot is adjudged to have pushed him. Dangerous position, and the home side have plenty of options here.

A moment of mis-communication between Hoult, Gaardsoe and Clement almost allows Bent to steal in on the edge of the West Brom area, though the home side do eventually get themselves together and clear the danger.

Everton eventually clear the corner, though not after a moment of sloppiness that almost allows Greening a shooting chance.

Gera gets on the end of a loose ball just outside the Everton area, and his ambitious right-foot volley is deflected over.

Richardson goes down after being tripped by Arteta. The rhythm of the game has suffered from a number of niggly fouls.

A nice spell of passing in the Everton midfield results in Osman finding Carsley 25 yards out. The shaven-headed battler his a right-foot effort first time, but it drifts wide of the far post.

Everton are beginning to enjoy a little more possession, though they are yet to do anything with it. Cahill is becoming increasingly influential, thugh there are few options for him.

There is a strangely quiet atmosphere inside the Hawthorns; I think both sets of fans know how important this game is to their clubs.

West Brom have a couple of players warming up on the sidelines, though I don't think they have any injury concerns at the moment.

West Brom win a free-kick for a foul on Greening. Clement takes the set-piece, passes to Richardson, who slices a 30-yard shot some distance wide. Awful effort from the youngster.

Despite their palpable lack of pace up front, West Brom are consistently playing long balls in to the channels for Horsefield and Campbell to chase.

Bent finds some space in behind Clement, and receives a nice chipped ball over the top. He spins and fires a well-struck shot but it is straight at Hoult, who collects at the second attempt.

Hoult claims a deep cross well, under pressure from Bent at the far post. Horsefield continues his battle with the Everton defence as he fouls Pistone in the visitors' half.

West Brom have defended well in the opening stages. Everton aren't getting many players forward to support Bent, but the home side are very quick to get on the second ball.

Oooh! Gaardsoe hits the bar with a header from six yards out as the free-kick came curling in to the box. The ball falls to safety, and Everton breathe again.

Horsefield is felled by Pistone as they chase another long ball in to the corner. It was a needless challenge from the Italian, and gives the home side the chance to swing a dangerous ball in to the box.

Bent collapses on the edge of the area, but the referee decides against giving a free-kick.

Greening swings over a right-foot cross from the left wing, but Stubbs heads clear with Campbell lurking behind him.

A very uneventful start to the match, it has to be said. Both sides are gifting possession away far too easily, and lacking creativity when they do search for a telling pass.

Horsefield and Stubbs clash again as they chase a long ball punted down the channel. The West Brom man just gives his marker a shove in the back, sending Stubbs in to the advertising hoardings.

West Brom have got a real Manchester United connection happening this season. Wallwork, Greening and Richardson were all United players, while manager Robson was a legend for the Reds.

Horsefield goes down under pressure from Stubbs. The striker went down very easily, especially considering how big he is. I heard a rumour that he wrestles bears in his spare time.

Stubbs plays a free-kick in to the area, where Bent had lost his marker, Neil Clement. Bent tries to bring the ball down on his chest, but the defender recovers to rob the ball at the last minute.

Osman beats Greening inside the area but is hustled off the ball as he attempts to find a yard of space.

Everton, meanwhile, need the points badly themselves after two recent defeats have given Liverpool renewed hope of pinching the fourth Champions League spot.

So, West Brom kick off knowing that a victory would be a massive step towards preserving their Premiership status.

Everton boss David Moyes was boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Mikel Arteta and he replaced Joseph Yobo.

Team news just in: Robert Earnshaw is again on the bench for West Brom, despite his hat-trick against Charlton a fortnight ago,as Bryan Robson opts for Campbell and Horsefield up front.

Join us live at 16.15 as West Brom battle to stay in the Premiership and Everton attempt to cling on to fourth place.