Leon Osman’s deflected strike and a Victor Anichebe goal saw Everton defeat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Osman opened the scoring in the 18th minute for the hosts at Goodison Park when his strike took a huge deflection off West Brom defender Gareth McAuley before beating Ben Foster.
The hosts stepped up the pressure after taking the lead, Darron Gibson hitting a ferocious 20-yard strike just above the woodwork.
West Brom almost equalised before half-time when Paul Scharner burst into the Everton penalty box and forced Tim Howard’s only save of the match.
Marouane Fellaini then tested Foster with a long-range effort, but the goalkeeper tipped it to safety.
The second half was a dull affair until Anichebe extended Everton’s advantage with a well-taken goal on 67 minutes.
The Nigerian striker fired in off the far post after good work from Steven Pienaar, who should have then put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute but could only fire straight at Foster after being played in by Nikica Jelavic.
The result lifts Everton to seventh on the table, though they could be usurped by bitter rivals Liverpool, who play at Newcastle on Sunday.
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