Everton vs. West Brom: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game

Everton 0-0 West Brom

Kevin Mirallas missed a penalty as Everton's wait for a Premier League win continued after a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park on Monday night.

The Toffees dominated possession from the start of the game, but Albion were determined to hold out and withstood the limited creativity shown by the home side.

However, it was the failed spot-kick in the 43rd minute that became the focus of the game.

After Joleon Lescott was penalised for handball inside the area, the stage seemed set for Everton left-back Leighton Baines to step forward with his record of one miss from 16 Premier League spot-kicks.

But Mirallas appeared to ignore the pleas of some team-mates, notably strikers Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku, and struck the post with his effort.

Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville had some harsh words for the Belgian's actions, via John Downes of the Daily Mail:

Subsequently, Mirallas did not reappear for the second period, as he was replaced by Bryan Oviedo.

It was a miss which was proved costly. Everton extended their current run to just one victory from their last 13 games in all competitions.

Everton made one change to their line-up from the FA Cup defeat to West Ham in midweek, with Mirallas replacing the suspended Aiden McGeady.

Albion manager Tony Pulis made two alterations to his starting XI, with Victor Anichebe returning to his former club in place of Brown Ideye. Craig Gardner came in for Stephane Sessegnon.

Mirallas was first to take a chance on goal with a long-range effort in the eighth minute, but West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster was behind the ball and saved without problem.

Moments later, Foster was required again for a Baines strike which moved in the air during its trajectory.

Everton dominated possession in the opening stages as West Brom defended deep, but the home side were unable to find a way through.

Foster was again untroubled when a Mirallas free-kick flew over a West Brom wall in the 24th minute of the game, before a Muhamed Besic drive was deflected away from danger.

The atmosphere inside the ground was flat from the start, although Everton inadvertently lifted the gloom when they were caught offside at their own short corner.

But in the 43rd minute, Everton were gifted a chance to take the lead, as former Toffees defender Lescott handled inside the area in a challenge with Lukaku. But Mirallas slammed the ball against the post in a let-off for West Brom, and it must be questioned why Baines did not take it.

Fuel was thrown on to the fire over the choice of Mirallas as the penalty taker when the Belgium international was substituted off at half-time.

With the furore over the missed penalty subsiding, the second half began in a similar vein to the first—Everton bossed possession but created little.

A slip by Lescott almost saw Lukaku break clear, but the chance came to nothing. Gareth Barry was upended by James Morrison on the edge of the area in the 59th minute, but Ross Barkley's free-kick deflected off the wall for a corner.

Everton fans screamed for a penalty after an ongoing clash between Naismith and Claudio Yacob inside the West Brom area. Referee Michael Oliver, however, did not blow his whistle.

Everton produced a great bit of play in the 75th minute. John Stones drove from the back, and a move across the face of the Albion area ended with Lukaku firing just wide.

Surprisingly, Besic, who had been Everton's best player on the night, was replaced by Arouna Kone in the 80th minute, as Roberto Martinez was clearly chasing a winning goal.

Everton continued to hold the lion's share of possession but could not find a way through. At the final whistle, the Toffees were left to rue that earlier penalty miss.

Selected Player Ratings

Muhamed Besic: A

Struggled to find his feet earlier in the season but this display against West Brom showed a more composed attitude from the summer signing. An excellent display from the youngster as he probed Albion throughout the game.

Saido Berahino: B

The West Brom striker struggled to make an impact at Goodison Park as the Baggies set out to thwart Everton. He was substituted midway through the second period.

Kevin Mirallas: C

Returned to the starting line-up as a potential match-winner but left the field at half-time as a possible detriment to team spirit, as he appeared to take a 43rd-minute penalty away from regular spot-kick marksman Baines.

What's Ahead

Everton now have a two-week break from action after being knocked out of the FA Cup by West Ham last week. They will return to action at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Jan. 31.

West Brom face an all-Midlands FA Cup fourth-round trip to Birmingham City of the Championship in their next outing on Saturday.

Post-Match Reaction