Youssouf Mulumbu put West Brom ahead with his seventh goal of the season
By Les Roopanarine
Youssouf Mulumbu's 10th-minute strike ensured that West Brom finished their home campaign with a flourish in a lively contest against 10-man Everton.
Mulumbu scored from close range after skilful work from Peter Odemwingie following Chris Brunt's lofted pass.
Victor Anichebe, Johnny Heitinga and Leon Osman all went close for Everton, but their problems were compounded by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's dismissal.
A late tackle on James Morrison earned the Russian substitute a straight red.
The result completes a memorable start to life at the Hawthorns for West Brom manager Roy Hodgson.
The former Liverpool boss inherited a club reeling from a run of 13 defeats in 19 games when he arrived on Valentine's day, but has since enjoyed an extended honeymoon period.
Hodgson hails rare clean sheet
His side have now lost just twice in eleven games since he took charge, and have a top-10 finish firmly in their sights with one game to go. Few would have anticipated that scenario when he inherited the role following Roberto Di Matteo's departure.
Victory would have sealed a minimum of seventh spot for Everton, and it was not for want of chances that they left the West Midlands empty-handed.
Yet, this result notwithstanding, they too can reflect with some satisfaction on a late-season surge that has carried them to unexpected heights, with the frustration being that they have too often had to rely on their powers of recovery in recent seasons.
Just three points off a relegation place in mid-February, this was only their third loss in 13 games since.
A festival atmosphere enveloped the Hawthorns ahead of kick-off, epitomised by Paul Scharner's blue-and-white hairdo.
But Everton are past masters when it comes to party-pooping, and for a few minutes they looked likely to call the festivities to an abrupt halt.
With West Brom apparently reluctant to commit bodies forward - perhaps understandably, given that they were looking to avert an unwanted Premier League record of conceding in eighteen successive games - the visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession.
Predictably, the home response was led by the irrepressible Odemwingie, who had already missed an opportunity to score for the sixth successive game when he set up the Baggies' decisive goal.
Having hit the side-netting from Mulumbu's clever ball over the top moments earlier, Odemwingie reaped maximum advantage from Sylvain Distin's misreading of Brunt's lobbed pass.
Squeezing in ahead of the Everton defender, the Nigeria international raced into the box, cleverly wrong-footing the pursuing Phil Jagielka, before crossing to set up Mulumbu's seventh league goal of the campaign.
Doubtless eager to erase the memory of their 4-1 humbling at the hands of the same opponents last November, Everton were relentless in their pursuit of an equaliser.
Anichebe curled an effort too close to the prone Scott Carson, and was denied by the home keeper's outstretched foot. Heitinga somehow contrived to head wide from Seamus Coleman's far-post cross. An Osman header was saved by the sprawling Carson.
Such adventure, combined with West Brom's pace on the counter-attack, ensured a lively afternoon for Everton keeper Tim Howard, who acrobatically palmed over a Brunt free-kick and somehow managed to get a hand to a close-range header from Odemwingie.
Tony Hibbert also did his bit, clearing off the line after Jerome Thomas's weaving run wreaked havoc in the home defence.
Perhaps inevitably, after an entertainingly open first half, the second period was a more attritional affair.
Bilyaletdinov's dismissal, a straight red card for a meaty but by no means reckless challenge on fellow substitute Morrison, provided tangible evidence of the unwelcome change of key, as did the four second-half bookings that accompanied it.
But that will matter little to Hodgson as he contemplates the solid defending that yielded his side's first clean sheet since August, not to mention the possibility of sealing a top-half finish at Newcastle next weekend.
90:00+4:22 The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00+3:52 Headed effort on goal by Jermaine Beckford from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
90:00+3:31 The official flags Marc-Antoine Fortune offside. Johnny Heitinga takes the free kick.
90:00+2:23 Johnny Heitinga takes the free kick.
90:00+2:23 Substitution Chris Brunt leaves the field to be replaced by Marc-Antoine Fortune.
90:00+2:23 Somen Tchoyi challenges Tony Hibbert unfairly and gives away a free kick.
90:00+1:28 Somen Tchoyi produces a cross, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.
89:22 Booking Gabriel Tamas is cautioned.
88:56 The ball is delivered by Tony Hibbert.
88:05 Youssouf Mulumbu has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses right.
87:29 The ball is swung over by Steven Reid, Leighton Baines gets a block in.
85:38 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Chris Brunt from the right by-line, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.
84:03 The ball is delivered by Tony Hibbert, comfortable save by Scott Carson.
83:42 Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save.
82:25 Jermaine Beckford is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Direct free kick taken by Jonas Olsson.
81:58 Corner taken by Leighton Baines, clearance made by Jonas Olsson.
81:46 The ball is swung over by Leon Osman, Paul Scharner manages to make a clearance.
81:32 Short corner taken by Leighton Baines.
81:25 Leighton Baines produces a cross, Gabriel Tamas manages to make a clearance.
79:52 Substitution Jack Rodwell is brought on as a substitute for Victor Anichebe.
79:18 Nicky Shorey produces a cross, James Morrison takes a shot. Blocked by Leighton Baines.
79:09 Somen Tchoyi sends in a cross.
78:54 Paul Scharner takes a shot. Blocked by Phil Jagielka.
78:48 Nicky Shorey produces a cross, clearance by Leighton Baines.
76:37 Free kick taken by Chris Brunt.
76:37 Substitution Somen Tchoyi comes on in place of Jerome Thomas.
76:37 Sent off The referee shows Diniyar Bilyaletdinov a red card.
76:25 Foul by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov on James Morrison, free kick awarded.
75:08 The ball is sent over by Tony Hibbert, Effort on goal by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over
the bar.
74:35 Phil Jagielka fouled by Peter Odemwingie, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.
74:13 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Jonas Olsson gets a block in.
72:54 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Jonas Olsson gets a block in. Corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the right by-line,
Phil Jagielka has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.
72:25 James Morrison takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
71:16 Substitution Phil Neville leaves the field to be replaced by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
71:07 Youssouf Mulumbu produces a cross, clearance made by Phil Jagielka.
70:23 Tony Hibbert crosses the ball, blocked by Nicky Shorey.
69:32 A cross is delivered by Phil Neville, Header on goal by Jermaine Beckford from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
69:09 Mikel Arteta takes a shot. Jonas Olsson gets a block in.
68:26 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jerome Thomas on Tony Hibbert. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.
66:29 Substitution James Morrison joins the action as a substitute, replacing Simon Cox.
64:18 Peter Odemwingie sends in a cross, Paul Scharner has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand
upright.
64:10 Paul Scharner sends in a cross.
63:42 Chris Brunt takes the free kick.
63:42 Booking Johnny Heitinga is cautioned.
63:31 Free kick awarded for a foul by Johnny Heitinga on Simon Cox.
62:40 A cross is delivered by Tony Hibbert, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Reid by Victor Anichebe. Scott Carson
takes the free kick.
61:40 Direct free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.
61:40 Booking The referee books Jerome Thomas for unsporting behaviour.
61:03 Substitution Jermaine Beckford comes on in place of Seamus Coleman.
61:03 Jerome Thomas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tony Hibbert.
60:13 Shot by Chris Brunt from 30 yards. Tony Hibbert gets a block in.
60:07 Peter Odemwingie produces a cross, clearance made by Leighton Baines.
58:55 The assistant referee signals for offside against Victor Anichebe. Direct free kick taken by Gabriel Tamas.
58:34 Mikel Arteta takes a shot. Jonas Olsson gets a block in. The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, Nicky Shorey makes a clearance.
Correction - 58:18 Phil Neville takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Paul Scharner.
58:18 Phil Neville takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Scharner.
57:34 Corner taken by Mikel Arteta played to the near post, clearance made by Paul Scharner.
56:53 Unfair challenge on Leighton Baines by Steven Reid results in a free kick. Mikel Arteta crosses the ball in from the free
kick, Jonas Olsson makes a clearance.
54:30 Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Blocked by Phil Neville.
53:35 Phil Neville takes a shot. Blocked by Jonas Olsson. The ball is sent over by Peter Odemwingie.
53:29 The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, save made by Scott Carson.
53:16 The ball is crossed by Leon Osman, Nicky Shorey manages to make a clearance.
51:44 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the right by-line, Effort on goal by Leon Osman from inside the
area goes harmlessly over the bar.
49:58 Short corner worked by Mikel Arteta.
49:50 The ball is crossed by Victor Anichebe, Gabriel Tamas manages to make a clearance.
48:38 Jonas Olsson takes the direct free kick.
48:38 Booking The referee books Phil Neville for unsporting behaviour.
48:32 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Youssouf Mulumbu by Phil Neville.
47:53 The offside flag is raised against Peter Odemwingie. Free kick taken by Phil Neville.
47:13 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sylvain Distin by Peter Odemwingie. Tim Howard restarts play with the free kick.
46:04 Victor Anichebe fouled by Paul Scharner, the ref awards a free kick. Phil Jagielka takes the direct free kick.
45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:01 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+1:26 Unfair challenge on Phil Jagielka by Chris Brunt results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.
45:00+0:14 Tony Hibbert sends in a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Leon Osman misses to the right of the goal.
43:17 Phil Jagielka challenges Simon Cox unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Brunt restarts play with the free kick.
42:32 Centre by Tony Hibbert, save by Scott Carson.
41:10 Jerome Thomas challenges Leon Osman unfairly and gives away a free kick. Johnny Heitinga takes the direct free kick.
39:48 Mikel Arteta takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Steven Reid.
39:42 The ball is sent over by Victor Anichebe, clearance made by Nicky Shorey.
39:00 Centre by Tony Hibbert, save made by Scott Carson.
36:13 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mikel Arteta, Youssouf Mulumbu makes a clearance. Leighton Baines takes a
inswinging corner to the near post, Sylvain Distin has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
Gabriel Tamas concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Anichebe. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick. Tony Hibbert sends
in a cross, Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save.
Correction - 34:17 Paul Scharner gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.
34:17 Foul by Paul Scharner on Mikel Arteta, free kick awarded. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.
32:48 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Scharner by Johnny Heitinga. Free kick taken by Paul Scharner.
31:37 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Victor Anichebe by Steven Reid. Leighton Baines crosses the ball in from the
free kick, save made by Scott Carson.
30:11 Tony Hibbert concedes a free kick for a foul on Jerome Thomas. Free kick taken by Nicky Shorey.
Correction - 28:27 Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard. Shot by Simon Cox. Blocked by Seamus Coleman. Outswinging corner taken
left-footed by Chris Brunt from the left by-line, save made by Tim Howard.
28:27 Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save. Shot by Simon Cox. Blocked by Seamus Coleman. Corner taken by Chris
Brunt, save by Tim Howard.
27:24 Nicky Shorey fouled by Seamus Coleman, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Brunt crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance
by Leighton Baines.
27:06 A cross is delivered by Steven Reid, Tony Hibbert makes a clearance.
Correction - 23:15 Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Blocked by Gabriel Tamas. Corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, Chris Brunt manages
to make a clearance. Seamus Coleman produces a cross, Johnny Heitinga has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes
wide of the left-hand upright. Jerome Thomas takes a shot. Tony Hibbert manages to make a clearance.
23:15 Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Gabriel Tamas gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta, Chris Brunt manages
to make a clearance. The ball is delivered by Seamus Coleman, Johnny Heitinga has a headed effort at goal from close range
which goes wide of the left-hand upright. Jerome Thomas takes a shot. Tony Hibbert makes a clearance.
22:54 The ball is sent over by Leighton Baines, save by Scott Carson.
22:18 The offside flag is raised against Peter Odemwingie. Free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.
21:51 The ball is crossed by Leon Osman, save by Scott Carson.
20:21 Seamus Coleman takes a shot. Gabriel Tamas gets a block in. Mikel Arteta takes a shot. Gabriel Tamas gets a block in. The
ball is crossed by Leighton Baines.
19:58 Centre by Phil Neville, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
18:20 The ball is delivered by Peter Odemwingie.
17:30 Short corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line. Shot from just outside the box by Seamus Coleman goes over the bar.
17:15 Leighton Baines delivers the ball, Chris Brunt gets a block in.
16:50 Leighton Baines sends in a cross, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
14:54 Foul by Leighton Baines on Peter Odemwingie, free kick awarded. Shot comes in from Chris Brunt from the free kick,
13:40 Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save. Corner taken by Leighton Baines played to the near post, Phil Jagielka
has a header from close range and clears the crossbar.
11:26 Unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta by Steven Reid results in a free kick. Leighton Baines delivers the ball from the free kick
left-footed from left wing, Paul Scharner manages to make a clearance.
10:42 Mikel Arteta sends in a cross.
9:08 Peter Odemwingie provided the assist for the goal.
9:08 GOAL - Youssouf Mulumbu:West Brom 1 - 0 Everton Goal scored by Youssouf Mulumbu from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. West Brom 1-0 Everton.
8:26 Chris Brunt challenges Victor Anichebe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sylvain Distin takes the free kick.
6:47 Effort from inside the area by Peter Odemwingie misses to the left of the target.
6:04 Unfair challenge on Tony Hibbert by Simon Cox results in a free kick. Phil Jagielka takes the direct free kick.
5:31 Seamus Coleman delivers the ball.
1:09 Shot by Johnny Heitinga from outside the box goes high over the crossbar.
0:58 Leon Osman takes a shot. Blocked by Gabriel Tamas.
0:00 The game gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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