Kevin Mirallas missed a penalty for Everton and was then substituted at half time, as the Toffees stumbled to a goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion this evening.
The hosts made a strong start to the match with Mirallas and Leighton Baines testing out Ben Foster in the opening minutes.
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Mirallas tried his luck again midway through the first half with a free kick towards the top corner that was held by the keeper.
Everton were struggling to create any clear-cut chances, but two minutes before the break they were awarded a penalty after a handball by Joleon Lescott.
It was Mirallas who stepped up to take the spot kick instead of the usual set-piece taker Baines, but the Belgian placed his strike against the outside of the post.
That penalty miss cost Mirallas his place in the side, as Bryan Oviedo came on to replace him at the start of the second half.
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After the break, the Toffees continued to dominate but it wasn't until the last 20 minutes that they threatened again, as Muhamed Besic saw an effort deflect inches wide of the far post.
Soon after Romelu Lukaku was found inside the box by Steven Naismith, but the Belgian couldn't direct his strike on goal.
West Brom barely posed a threat all evening, but they could have snatched a goal when Andre Wisdom pulled the ball across the box for Stephane Sessegnon, who ended up scuffing his shot well wide.
Despite constant pressure from the hosts in the final minutes, they were unable to find a way past Albion, as Tony Pulis's side claimed a well-earned point.
Alex Meyers
