West Brom 1-1 Everton: Lugano Pinches Point On Pepe Mel's Baggies Bow

Diego Lugano's second half header ensured Everton slipped to sixth in the Premier League as Pepe Mel picked up a point in his first game in charge of West Bromwich Albion. The visitors had led at The Hawthorns through a fourth goal of the season for Kevin Mirallas. Albion started brightly with the controversial Nicolas Anelka feeding strike partner Matej Vydra as the young Czech worked Toffees keeper Tim Howard on eight minutes. Mel's new managerial magic swiftly subsided, however. Bryan Oviedo, in the Everton XI in place of the injured Steven Pienaar, fired wide twice in the space of a minute. First he volleyed the second ball from a free kick across goal when Liam Ridgewell's clearance fell to him. Oviedo then snatched at a second effort and Mirallas worked Ben Foster in the home goal after coming inside. The Belgian made the superiority of Roberto Martinez's men tell five before half time. Former Baggies striker Romelu Lukaku knocked a long Sylvain Distin punt down to Mirallas. He held off the hapless Lugano before slotting home. Foster also saved low from Oviedo before half time. Mel reacted to West Brom's deficit at the break by taking Vyda off for ex-Toffees attacker Victor Anichebe. James Morrison forced Howard into a low stop early in the second half. Anichebe then stabbed goalwards, but straight at the Everton keeper, after linking with Anelka. Youssouf Mulumbu's introduction for veteran Zoltan Gera was an eyebrow-raising change made by Mel among Baggies fans. Mirallas meanwhile bought a free kick for Everton and whipped it over with 20 minutes remaining. Improving Albion levelled five minutes later as Lugano atoned for his earlier error. The Uruguay captain got across the near post to head home James Morrison's cross following good holdup play from Anichebe. Mel then threw on Saido Berahino as the hosts sought a winner. Martinez lost Seamus Coleman to a hamstring problem, so young John Stones came on at right back. A Toffees debut for winger Aiden McGeady also followed, but the visitors failed to close this game out and dropped two points in their quest for a Champions League place. Distin thought he had won it for Everton with the last kick of the game, but was miles offside and rightly flagged so when he smuggled in a free kick from very close range. Honours finished even. Tottenham Hotspur have gone above the Toffees and level with their Merseyside rivals Liverpool because of results this weekend. This proved a far better point for West Brom who climb above Stoke into 13th.