Everton missed out on the chance to move into fourth place in the Premier League by drawing 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
Roberto Martinez's side went into half time with a 1-0 lead as Kevin Mirallas fired them in front, but the hosts dominated the contest after the break.
Diego Lugano headed the Baggies level in the 75th minute to ensure that Pepe Mel's first match in charge ended in a draw.
Find out how all of the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Evening all! We have a cracker of a Premier League contest for you tonight as West Bromwich Albion play host to high-flying Everton.
There are plenty of talking points ahead of kickoff, with former Real Betis boss Pepe Mel taking charge of the Baggies for the first time and the inclusion of Nicolas Anelka on his teamsheet sparking controversy with the club's sponsor Zoopla.
Team news coming up...
WEST BROM: Foster, Reid, Lugano, Olsson, Ridgewell, Brunt, Morrison, Yacob, Gera, Vydra, Anelka
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Osman, Bryan Oviedo, Mirallas; Lukaku
There you have it, confirmation that Anelka will be spearheading the West Brom attack this evening, a selection choice that has angered Zoopla co-owner Alex Chesterman. The Frenchman made what some have called an anti-Semitic gesture when he found the net against West Ham United, and Zoopla have confirmed that their branding will not be appearing on the club's shirts next season as a result.
Incidentally, that sponsorship deal was due to expire in the summer, but this is not the kind of publicity Mel would be hoping for ahead of his first match in charge.
Moving swiftly away from politics, Everton have made two changes for their visit to The Hawthorns, bringing in Sylvain Distin and Bryan Oviedo and for John Stones and Steven Pienaar.
England Under-21 defender Stones has done well while deputising for the Frenchman, but the return of Distin will bring some vital experience to the Blues' rear guard. Pienaar took a knock during Everton's win over Norwich last weekend, but Oviedo slots in neatly as his replacement on the left wing.
Let's take a look at the two subs benches...
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Mulumbu, Berahino, Jones, Anichebe, Sessegnon, Amalfitano
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, McGeady, Hibbert, Heitinga, Stones, Vellios, Naismith
The hosts have plenty of firepower in reserve, with Saido Berahino posing a goal threat and former Everton man Victor Anichebe likely to be relishing the prospect of facing his former club.
The biggest talking point regarding the Everton subs is the inclusion of recent signing Aiden McGeady. The former Celtic and Spartak Moscow winger could well make his debut this evening, likely in place of Oviedo along the left.
West Brom head into tonight's game in poor form, having won just once in their last 12 matches, a run that cost former coach Steve Clarke his job. Mel takes over a club that sit just three points above the drop zone, in urgent need of a result this evening.
That's no easy feat against an Everton side that have lost fewer matches (two) than any other side in the Premier League. Roberto Martinez's team could do with three points for very a different reason, namely that it would move them above city rivals Liverpool into fourth spot.
History does not make good reading for Mel this evening as his predecessors Tony Mowbray, Roberto Di Matteo, Roy Hodgson and Steve Clarke all lost their first games in charge, and the Baggies have defeated Everton just once in their last five attempts.
Past results also suggest that a draw is unlikely this evening, as these two teams have not tied at The Hawthorns in the last 30 years. West Brom have won five and lost four of those subsequent fixtures.
PREDICTION: With these stats in mind, I think there will be a winner tonight, and I think it's going to be Everton. I'm going with a 1-0 to the Blues with Romelu Lukaku finding the net.
Anelka has an impressive track record against Everton, scoring eight league goals against the Toffees spanning five different clubs. If he finds the net tonight, he will set a new record for the Premier League as no player has ever done it with six teams.
The FA is due to announce whether the French striker will be charged over that West Ham celebration tomorrow, and setting a new top-flight record would be the perfect way to put the controversy behind him.
One milestone that is certain to be reached this evening is Liam Ridgewell's 300th league appearance. The defender made the majority of those for Birmingham City after spending six years with their local rivals Aston Villa.
Lukaku received a great reception from the West Brom fans when his name was read out at The Hawthorns tonight. The Belgian found the net 17 times for the Baggies during his loan stint last season, and was something of a fan favourite.
Here's a close-up shot of him warming up ahead of kickoff courtesy of Everton's official Twitter account:
PHOTO: Big Rom in the warm-up. #EFCWBA pic.twitter.com/ZHwGUDetYk
— Everton (@Everton) January 20, 2014
The two sides are heading out onto the pitch now. Stay tuned for live updates throughout the match!
KICKOFF: Everton get the match under way, kicking from right to left. Two Spaniards go head to head this evening, but will it be Mel or Martinez who comes out on top?
West Brom are the first of the two teams to venture into the final third as Chris Brunt threads a pass through to Matej Vydra on the left. He attempts to pick out Anelka in front of goal, but Tim Howard rises and makes the catch.
Anelka puts pressure on the Everton rear guard, tussling with Seamus Coleman just outside the area. The Frenchman gets the better of his marker, though the move breaks down as he commits a foul.
Half chance for Everton as a long ball from Sylvain Distin finds its way to the West Brom penalty area and falls kindly for Lukaku, who attempts to catch Ben Foster off his line with a cheeky lob, but finds only the stand. He had the time and space to to better there.
CHANCE! Howard is called into action as Anelka plays a through ball to Matej Vydra, and his strike partner surges forward and cuts inside the box. He fires one across the face of goal, but the Everton keeper races off his line and palms it clear. James Morrison was waiting at the back post to put that away!
SHOT! Everton come close at the other end following a Leighton Baines free kick from wide on the left. The initial cross was scrambled away, but Bryan Oviedo takes it on the half-volley, his effort flying narrowly wide.
SHOT! Another goalscoring opportunity falls to Oviedo as Lukaku picks his out with a low pass. West Brom's marking is poor, allowing the Costa Rican to gain possession in the area and shoot wide of the right post. He didn't get much power behind his strike, but it wasn't far away.
West Brom prove that they are capable of giving as much as they are getting tonight, with Anelka firing another warning shot towards Howard's goal following a counterattack. The Frenchman does well to get beyond Gareth Barry, but his finish was well off target.
CHANCE! Everton apply further pressure, this time through James McCarthy, who picks up a cut-back from Kevin Mirallas on the edge of the box, hitting it cleanly on the half-volley, but it goes straight into the arms of Ben Foster.
Everton have some defending to do themselves as a Chris Brunt free kick ricochets around their area, cleared at the third time of asking. They fire another warning shot at the other end moments later through Mirallas, who takes it on the turn and fires straight at Foster.
It's been a good open game so far with the two sides looking evenly matched. West Brom look dangerous on the break, particularly when Anelka is on the ball, while Everton pose a threat along the flanks through Mirallas and Oviedo.
Here's an action shot of Mirallas courtesy of Everton's official Twitter account:
PHOTO: Kevin Mirallas battles for the ball in the first half #EFCWBA pic.twitter.com/X7d6INnUQ4
— Everton (@Everton) January 20, 2014
Everton asking all of the questions these past few minutes. One attack goes begging as Barry overplays a pass to Oviedo, putting the ball out for a West Brom goalkick, then another grinds to a half as Lukaku pushes Jonas Olsson to ground.
CHANCE! A Leon Osman cross flashes across the face of the West Brom goal. Lukaku allows it to pass him by, giving Coleman a shooting opportunity, but his strike is blocked by Chris Brunt in front of goal. A vital interception from him!
CHANCE! It's end-to-end stuff here at The Hawthorns as Zoltan Gera comes close for the hosts. Anelka picked him out with a neat pass, and the midfielder did well to get in beyond his marker and get a shot in at goal. Howard can only parry it, but Baines is on hand to scramble it away.
BOOKING! Claudio Yacob receives the first yellow card of the night for catching Gareth Barry with a late tackle. The replay shows that the Everton man was giving as much as he got there, but you see them given all the time.
Lukaku has struggled to make his presence felt on his return to The Hawthorns. The West Brom defence know what he is capable of, and have done well to freeze him out of the game.
Good pressure from West Brom as Matej Vydra cuts inside the area and plays a cross into the danger zone. Luckily for Everton, it deflects away from the onrushing Anelka and is eventually dealt with. A let-off for the visitors there!
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Everton (Kevin Mirallas)
Everton take the lead courtesy of a route-one goal! Distin plays a long ball towards Lukaku upfront and he nods it on to Mirallas inside the box, who provides a cool finish, guiding a low strike beyond Foster into the bottom corner.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time to play in the first half.
GREAT TACKLE! Lukaku races towards the West Brom goal, leaving Diego Lugano for dead, but James Morrison tracks back and steals the ball from the Everton striker's feet with a perfectly-timed tackle.
HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Everton
Everton lead West Brom by a goal to nil at the break courtesy of a strike from Belgian international Kevin Mirallas, his second goal in as many matches.
Here is the winger guiding the ball beyond Ben Foster between the West Brom sticks:
PHOTO: Kevin Mirallas slots home Everton’s goal shortly before half time. #EFCWBA pic.twitter.com/eGPDhUrbaD
— Everton (@Everton) January 20, 2014
It's fair to say that the Baggies have matched Everton in the first half, with Anelka looking dangerous and Gera almost putting them in front. They have plenty of attacking options on the bench, and could throw on Saido Berahino or Victor Anichebe in the second period.
What a story it would be if Anichebe came on and netted the equaliser against his former club!
Everton fans will no doubt be keen to see recent signing Aiden McGeady in action tonight, who could come off the bench to make his debut, although there are some doubts over his match fitness.
If things stay the same, bragging rights on Merseyside will be Everton's for the time being as they will move above Liverpool into fourth in the table.
KICKOFF: West Brom restart the match. They have brought on Victor Anichebe for Matej Vydra at half time. Can he make an impact against his former club?
You can't fault West Brom's drive! They start the second period on the front foot and win a corner moments after the restart. Everton deal with it at the second time of asking.
Anichebe makes his first contribution to the match by getting in behind Jagielka and playing a low cross into the Everton box, which Distin hacks clear. James Morrison fires a tame shot into the arms of Howard moments later.
BOOKING! Gareth Barry is the first Everton player to go into the referee's notebook for a push on Anelka. He can have no complaints about that one.
Everton on the back foot once more as Anichebe picks out Brunt out wide, and he sends in a dangerous cross the back post. Zoltan Gera attempts a diving header, but Leighton Baines uses his strength to hold him off. Good defending from the England man!
CHANCE! Anichebe has a great chance to do some damage against his former employers as Anelka finds his way around Distin and plays a low ball across the face of goal. Anichebe fails to connect with it properly, and his effort goes straight into the arms of Howard. Liam Ridgewell is booked moments later for dangerous play.
Half-chance for the Baggies as Gera unleashes a stringing strike from just outside the box. Distin is brave, taking the brunt of it and deflecting it clear.
SUBSTITUTION: Come the hour, come the man, and the man is Youssuf Mulumbu. He replaces Zoltan Gera in the middle of the park for West Brom.
Pepe Mel has reshuffled the pack now, but West Brom's biggest problem is that Anelka is playing too deep. If he can get himself further forward, the Baggies just might punish Everton on the break.
It's West Brom who have been asking all of the questions in this second period, but they have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Meanwhile, Baines escapes a cast-iron booking as he trips Anelka after giving away possession cheaply.
Everton attempt to stage an attack as Coleman twists and turns on his way into the West Brom area, but the move breaks down as Brunt steals the ball from his feet.
SHOT! Mirallas is felled on the edge of the box. He dust himself off and steps up to take it himself, curling one into the stand. That one wasn't quite as spectacular as the one he hit against Norwich last weekend!
West Brom win a corner as Anichebe shows off his strength and forces Distin to put the ball behind. Everton clear the initial danger, but West Brom regain possession wide on the right and prepare to launch another attack...
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton (Diego Lugano)
West Brom are level, and it's no less than what they deserve! James McCarthy allows James Morrison to get the better of him along the right flank, and the Baggies midfielder plays in a dangerous cross to the near post for Lugano to nod home from close range.
SUBSTITUTIONS: West Brom throw on Saido Berahino for Anelka, while Everton have taken off Coleman for John Stones.
ANOTHER CHANGE: Aiden McGeady comes on to make his Everton debut in a like-for-like swap with Bryan Oviedo.
West Brom have been on top throughout this second half, and continue to ask all of the questions. If either of these teams is going to find a winner, it looks like it is going to be them!
Everton are defending for their lives here, throwing extra men back to deal with the strength of Anichebe. They stage an attack against the run of play as Baines whips in a cross for Lukaku, who attempts acrobatics, but misses the ball completely.
Brunt plays a dangerous cross over the Everton area, which is too high for Anichebe to get his head to. The Baggies are refusing to take their foot off the gas here!
SUBSTITUTION: Everton take off Leon Osman, who is struggling with his back, and throw on Steven Naismith in his place.
West Brom win a late free kick in a dangerous position after Mirallas commits a foul. Steven Reid bends one towards goal, but doesn't get much power behind it and fails to trouble Howard.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to play.
Lukaku does well to power his way into the West Brom box, chasing down a lost cause. His efforts are almost rewarded as he heads a pass into the path of the onrushing Naismith, but Foster races off his line and beats the Scot to it.
Everton win a last-ditch free kick of their own in a dangerous position as Mirallas goes down near the left corner flag. Baines whips a cross into the centre of the West Brom box...
GOAL DISALLOWED! Everton have the ball in the net with the last kick of the ball through a combination of Lukaku and Barry, but the goal is ruled out as Distin was half a mile offside! Late drama here at The Hawthorns, but the ref made the correct call.
FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton
The full-time whistle sounds and Pepe Mel comes away from his first game in charge of the Baggies with a point, while Everton fail to capitalise on Liverpool's failure to defeat Aston Villa on Saturday.
It was not less than what West Brom deserved, but Mel's heart was surely in his mouth at the death there when Everton has a last-minute goal correctly ruled out for offside.
That's all we've got time for this evening. You can catch up on all the action from the 90 minutes with our match report here. Many thanks for joining Sports Mole for this Premier League fixture!
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
