West Brom vs Everton - Match Preview
The first Premier League match of 2012 takes place at the early time of 12.30pm today between West Brom and Everton at The Hawthorns.
The first Premier League match of 2012 takes place at the early time of 12.30pm today between West Brom and Everton at The Hawthorns and both respective managers Roy Hodgson and David Moyes will be hoping their teams have no obvious New Year hangovers as they both could reach the top half of the table with a win today. West Brom ended 2011 with a storm, beating Newcastle 3-2 in a very impressive performance at St. James's Park and also won at Blackburn the game before and picked up a point against Manchester City at home. The Baggies defence became only the second side to keep out the City strikers Balottelli, Silva, Aguero and company all season. Though they know their home form could improve with only 7 goals scored at home and too few times they have sent their fans into raptures with strikes. Their opponents Everton are among the hardest working teams in the league and have a mean defence having just conceded five goals in their last seven games. They also say you may your own luck through persistence and effort and last week's penalty earned at Sunderland to steal a point at the Stadium of Light was testimony to that. Everton rarely give up in their games and they fight to the bitter end and the Baggies will need to play to their best for 90 minutes to secure a victory today.