West Brom vs. Everton: Key Battles That Will Shape the Premier League Game
Everton travel to West Brom on Saturday, still targeting a first win of the season.
While three games against Leicester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have brought seven goals, key defensive errors have hurt Roberto Martinez's side and limited them to just two points from a potential nine.
West Brom's results have mirrored Everton's so far, also taking two points and losing their final fixture before the international break. Both sides will hope to put a slow start behind them and find momentum with a win this weekend.
The Toffees have a mixed recent record at the Hawthorns, winning two and losing four of the past seven visits, including a 4-0 trouncing in 2005; a result that remains the Baggies' biggest Premier League win. Everton have also failed to keep a clean sheet in six of those trips and drew 1-1 last season.
Here's a look ahead to some of the key individual scraps ahead of Saturday's clash.
Steven Naismith vs. Youssouf Mulumbu
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Amid this subdued start, one player in red hot form for Everton has been Steven Naismith. The Scotland international has scored three goals from just three shots on target and has more than compensated for the loss of Ross Barkley.
In and around him on Saturday—hamstring injury permitting—will be ball-winning supremo, Youssouf Mulumbu. The powerful midfielder is among the division's best at regaining possession, regularly topping weekly tackle and interception statistics.
As Naismith darts in and around Romelu Lukaku, Mulumbu must look to disrupt his early-season fluency and limit his impact.
Brown Ideye vs. Phil Jagielka
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Phil Jagielka has been the biggest culprit for Everton's uncharacteristically porous defence this season, committing a league-high three defensive errors that have led to shots on goal, per Opta (h/t Betfair).
The Everton captain has been well below his best in a back four that has conceded 10 goals in just three games—already over 25 percent of last season's return from 38 games.
Brown Ideye is yet to score as a West Brom player, but he will be keen to exacerbate any potential weakness in a defence void of its usual confidence.
Everton will dominate possession in this game, but any time the Toffees are caught with bodies upfield, Ideye will look for one-on-one opportunities with Jagielka.
Kevin Mirallas vs. Andre Wisdom
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Kevin Mirallas is becoming an increasingly key player at Everton and has been behind much of the positive attacking form on show—form that has been masked by these alarming defensive woes.
The winger will spend time on either flank against West Brom, but he has predominately been used on the left this season, cutting into the box on his stronger right foot.
In his way will be Andre Wisdom, coming off a year spent in the Championship. The Baggies' right side has been far more cohesive than their left this season, but Wisdom will also be the more adventurous full-back, potentially leaving space for Mirallas to exploit.
Aiden McGeady vs. Jason Davidson
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If Jason Davidson keeps his place, West Brom will start with an inexperienced full-back tandem coming up against two of Everton's in-form players.
Aiden McGeady has produced his best displays in an Everton shirt this season, prolonging his high standards with a brace during the international break against Georgia.
The Ireland international has predominantly remained on the right and will presumably come up against Davidson, who appeared unconvincing during his first start against Swansea.
Nathan Dyer's pace and trickery regularly troubled him during the Baggies' 3-0 defeat—two of McGeady's major weapons.
Saido Berahino vs. Leighton Baines
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West Brom's bright spot of the season has been the continued progression of Saido Berahino.
The England under-21 international has played wide right, but has still managed to remain a key factor in the final third, scoring his side's only two goals this season, as well as topping their shots chart.
Leighton Baines has shown the best defensive form of an inconsistent back line, but will be tested by Berahino's movement.
The youngster has already developed a knack of intelligently timing his runs and Baines will need to be cautious, especially if possession is conceded with the left-back in attack.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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