West Bromwich Albion have registered their first victory in the Premier League since January 2 with a 1-0 win away at Everton.
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Everton dominated possession during the opening stages without posing much of a threat in the final third, and they were made to pay as the Baggies opened the scoring on 14 minutes.
A corner from Stephane Sessegnon was flicked on by Jonas Olsson at the near post, and although his header was going to find the bottom corner, Salomon Rondon made sure on the line for his fifth league goal of the season.
It took time for Everton to respond after falling behind against the run of play, but they rallied during the final quarter-of-an-hour before half time and should have been at least on level terms at the break.
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Ramiro Funes Mori had a header blocked by Claudio Yacob, before a deflected Aaron Lennon effort was tipped over by Ben Foster.
As the West Brom defence dropped deeper, Ross Barkley curled a shot against the post from 20 yards, with Tom Cleverley also striking the woodwork with an over-hit cross from the left flank.
Soon after the restart, Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy both had shots comfortably saved by Foster, while Gareth Barry sent a fierce effort marginally over the crossbar.
West Brom almost doubled their lead just after the hour mark, however, with Chris Brunt firing wide of the far post after being played in by Rondon.
As the match drew to a close, Everton continued to throw men forward, but after Barkley failed to direct a header on target after being found by Barry, West Brom were able to celebrate a valuable three points which takes them eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Darren Plant
