Everton frustrated as early Salomon Rondon strike gives West Brom win at Goodison

Roberto Martinez’s Everton were given no wiggle room as Tony Pulis’ defensive West Brom eked out a 1-0 win at Goodison Park thanks to Salomon Rondon’s early goal.

Everton went into the game having been buttered up by the manager of the other side, with Tony Pulis stating in his pre-match press conference that this Everton squad is “the best they’ve had for a very long time.”

But once the game started it was a different matter, with West Brom physical from the off and tactically set up to lead Martinez’s side a merry dance on the break and from set-pieces. It was classic Pulis and the approach paid off in style when Jonas Olsson’s flick-on left Joel Robles leaden-footed in the Everton goal to give Salomon Rondon the easiest of finishes from less than a yard out at the back post.

Everton were dancing out of tune in midfield, with right winger Aaron Lennon riding solo as the only player in the Toffees team performing close to his best level in an impotent display. The home fans called for changes as the game went on, but Martinez was out of step with the thoughts of the supporters and his decision to withdraw Lennon midway through the second half was greeted by a chorus of boos.

The Goodison faithful trailed out on full-time knowing that they are reversing closer to relegation than the Champions League places, but the travelling Baggies fans were delighted with their trip to Merseyside after picking three points that helps pull them closer to safety.

14’ – GOAL!Everton0-1 West Brom: West Brom have the lead, with the most West Brom goal imaginable. Olsson flicks on a corner and loops his header towards the back post, where it is tucked away on the line by Rondon. 1-0.

34’– SAVE: A Lennon shot takes a big deflection and loops over the head of Foster, who does brilliantly to scramble back and tip the dropping ball over the bar.

37’ – POST: Barkley flicks a cultured boot at the ball on the edge of the West Brom box and holds his head in his hands as his shot cannons back off the inside of the post and his hoofed up-field by Olsson.

73’ – SUB: Deulofeu comes on to replace Lennon - a decision that is greeted with a chorus of boos (and much stronger words) from the stands.

Everton have conceded 23 goals at Goodison Park this season; more than any other team at home across the top five European Leagues.

Joel Robles had kept a clean-sheet in five consecutive Premier League games for Everton before allowing Rondon to steal in at the back post in the first half.

Rondon’s goal is only the second time that West Brom have found the net inside the opening quarter of an hour in their last 31 Premier League games.

Everton had 34 attempts at goal, more than any of their Premier League games since 2003.

Did Roberto Martinez get out-thought? The Everton boss certainly won’t be dancing the night away after this shambles of a display. It was impotent dominance from the Toffees, which saw them attempt more shots than in any other game during his tenure yet never look like scoring. Playing a lot of neat central midfielders in the manner that Martinez did was exactly what Tony Pulis would have been hoping for and the visitors were just able to sit back, force Everton to shoot from distance and then hit them on the counter-attack.

Jonas Olsson (West Brom): Everton didn’t have any joy in the air all afternoon and much of the credit for that has to go to the towering figure of Olsson, who had Lukaku in his pocket all game. Not only was he formidable in defence, but Olsson also played a pivotal role in the decisive moment of the game when he got in-front of his marker and looped a flick-on to the back post. Rondon stole his goal really, but the big Swede won’t mind too much.

Everton: Robles 3; Coleman 5, Funes Mori 4, Jagielka 4, Oviedo 5; Barry 5, McCarthy 6; Cleverley 4, Barkley 6, Lennon 7; Lukaku 6. Subs: Kone 4, Deulofeu 5, Osman 5.

West Brom: Foster 6; Dawson 7, Olsson 8, Chester 8, Evans 7; Yacob 8, Fletcher 6; McClean 4, Berahino 6, Sessegnon 6; Rondon 7. Subs: Brunt 6, Anichebe 5, Sandro 5.