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Saturday, 23 November, 2002, 17:01 GMT

Radzinski rocks Albion

Everton 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Everton moved third in the Premiership with their sixth successive league win.

Tomasz Radzinski's first-half goal maintained Everton's revival as David Moyes' side also recorded their fifth clean sheet in a row against struggling West Brom.

Everton deserved more goals for their domination - but Gary Megson's side also showed commendable spirit as they threatened to snatch a point late on.


" Yes, I've looked at the league table, and yes it looks pretty good, but it's only okay "
Everton boss
David Moyes


But with Arsenal and Liverpool losing and Chelsea only getting a point at Bolton, Everton's fifth 1-0 win on the trot maintained their best Premiership start and put them third.

Everton played with massive confidence after their sensational sequence of results, pushing Albion back for long periods in the first half.

Moyes' men poured forward and should have taken the lead after 15 minutes.

Gary Naysmith's corner was met by Alan Stubbs' powerful header, only for it to hit team-mate Kevin Campbell in the six-yard box when it looked goalbound.

Albion goalkeeper Russell Hoult then produced a fine save to keep out a 25-yard strike from Radzinski.

But the Canadian was not to be denied as Everton took the lead in spectacular fashion ten minutes before the interval.

Chinese midfield man Li Tie raced from his own half, playing a slick exchange with Radzinski before the striker fired a first-time finish high past Hoult.

It was no more than Everton deserved after a period of sustained pressure.

Albion boss Megson made a change five minutes after the interval, replacing Scott Dobie with Lee Hughes.


" We are getting battered, and there wasn't a massive gap in class "
West Brom boss
Gary Megson


And it almost brought instant rewards when Andy Johnson sent Jason Roberts clear in the area.

He delayed and allowed Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright to block, with the lurking Hughes unable to take advantage.

It set the scene for Albion's best spell of the game as Ronnie Wallwork blazed over from a good position - but then they almost presented Everton with a second.

Sean Gregan got in the way of a cross and almost headed it past Hoult, who fell over and saved one handed before diving on the rebound.

Everton brought on wonder boy Wayne Rooney for the dying minutes as they attempted to close out their sixth successive victory.


Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Unsworth, Carsley, Gravesen, Tie Li, Naysmith (Pistone 84), Radzinski (Rooney 87), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Watson, Weir, Simonsen.

Booked: Gravesen, Tie Li.

Goals: Radzinski 35.

West Brom: Hoult, Moore, Gregan, Sigurdsson, Balis (Koumas 72), Clement, Wallwork, McInnes, Johnson, Roberts, Dobie (Hughes 50). Subs Not Used: Dichio, James Chambers, Murphy.

Booked: Clement, Koumas.

Attendance: 40,113.

Referee: J Winter (Cleveland).


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