Organised and resilient Baggies hold off Toffees
- Rondon converts Olsson's flicked header (14)
- Baggies move on to 32 points in the table
- Yacob makes 100th Premier League appearance for Albion
- Attendance: 38,103
- Albion Star Man: Jonny Evans
AN early goal followed by a remarkable backs-to-the-wall operation brought Albion a welcome 1-0 victory and three precious points at Goodison Park.
The Baggies might have to wait for the Dubious Goals panel to sort out who scored the deciding goal of the contest from either Jonas Olsson or Salomon Rondon.
But they will be celebrating the points immediately having grabbed a 14th minute lead before strangling Everton into submission on a frustrating afternoon for the home side.
Olsson flicked on a near-post header from Stephane Sessegnon's corner which swirled beyond keeper Joel Robles, with Rondon applying a finishing touch to the ball as it crossed the line.
After that, Albion fought their way through a growing tide of Everton pressure which peaked during five first half minutes.
Ben Foster tipped a deflected Aaron Lennon shot over in the 34th minute before Ross Barkley and Tom Cleverley curled in efforts from range which struck the woodwork.
There were plenty of skirmishes around the Albion penalty area after that but nothing that would shake the lead from the Baggies grasp.
And Albion will have been thrilled to see Jonny Evans make a towering comeback in central defence and Chris Brunt safely complete a 30 minute return as a second half substitute.
Olsson, James Chester, Craig Dawson, Claudio Yacob and the hard-working Saido Berahino were all outstanding in the rearguard action.
But the Baggies were the first to acknowledge their commitment was matched by a travelling band of more than 1,200 fans who carried the team through the battle with relentless support.
EVERTON: Joel; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy (Osman 81), Cleverley (Kone 58), Barkley, Lennon (Deulofeu 74), Lukaku.
Subs: Howard, Baines, Pienaar, Mirallas.
Bookings: Barry (65 obstruction);
ALBION: Foster; Dawson, Olsson, Evans, Chester; Sessegnon, Yacob, Fletcher, McClean (Brunt 57); Berahino (Sandro 90 + 2); Rondon (Anichebe 72).
Subs: Myhill, Gardner, Pocognoli, Pritchard,
Bookings: Fletcher (50, time wasting); McClean (51, foul); Foster (75 time-wasting); Brunt (83, foul)
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)