A rare goal in extra time from Everton captain Phil Neville secured a place in the next round of the Carling Cup.Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini had earlier cancelled out Chris Brunt's penalty for Albion as the first ninety minutes ended 1-1. The extra-time victory stretches our unbeaten run to 5 in all competitions as we await the fourth round draw on Saturday.
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Everton made six changes to the starting line-up from the side that beat Wigan on Saturday. Most notably, deadline-day signings Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi were handed full debuts, whilst Ross Barkley and Phil Neville also returned. Sylvain Distin and Tim Howard were rested, with John Heitinga and Jan Mucha their replacements.
The full side was; Mucha, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Neville, Drenthe, Barkley, Fellaini, Rodwell, Coleman, Stracqualursi, and the subs bench consisted of; Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Gueye and Vellios.
A mysterious bug had deprived Albion of the services of striking duo Shane Long and Roman Bednar and Everton will also have been pleased to see that 'bogey player' Paul Scharner started on the visitors' bench.
The first half was an almost entirely uninspiring period as both sides created few notable opportunities. West Brom offered little but had arguably the best chance of the half when Simon Tchoyi sent an effort just over early on. Royston Drenthe, taking over from regular taker Leighton Baines, sent a free-kick just over, and Marouane Fellaini saw his header trickle wide.
Peter Odemwingie spurned another opportunity for the Baggies before the break as the sides went in level at 0-0.
Everton seemed to have woken up at half-time and started the second half really well. First Seamus Coleman shot at Albion 'keeper Fulop and then Stracqualursi's prodded effort was also well kept out by the Hungarian custodian.
West Brom also threatened and earned their chance to take the lead when Peter Odemwingie was felled by Slovakian goalkeeper Jan Mucha as the Nigerian forward sprinted into the Everton box. Chris Brunt (another WBA player who loves playing against us) slotted home the resulting penalty to further frustrate the 17, 647-strong (weak) crowd.
Everton went on the search for an equaliser, bringing on Tim Cahill, Apostolos Vellios and Magaye Gueye and shifting Marouane Fellaini up front. Vellios and Fellaini both had half-chances to find an equalising goal but time was running out for Everton to avoid being knocked out of the Carling Cup at the 3rd round stage for the second year running.
With some fans heading for the exits, Marouane Fellaini collected the ball from a Vellios flick-on, swivelled and fired home an excellent left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box. Those that were half way towards the exits turned back. Game on.
Jack Rodwell could have snatched an improbable comeback in injury-time but his header from Phil Neville's cross bounced just wide. With this weekend's opponents Manchester City safely through after fielding their reserves against Birmingham City, we would have to play an extra half-hour before Saturday's early kick-off.
Fellaini remained up front after salvaging the game in the 88th minute of normal time, with Tim Cahill in midfield. West Brom looked tired as Everton pressed but the visitors could have taken the lead if Tchoyi had found his bearings when well placed inside the Everton box.
After that let-off, Vellios set up Drenthe whose effort was ever so slightly off target. The Dutchman was, however, to play a massive part in what turned out to be the winner. He jinked and dribbled past two Baggies defenders on the right byline before cutting back to skipper Neville, who exquisitely curled into the top corner with his left foot.
It was a rare goal for Neville - his 5th in almost 250 Everton appearances - but they do tend to be special! He looked a bit too shocked to celebrate properly but Royston Drenthe went absolutely mental. On his own. I love him already.
An unconvincing performance but we are through the next round. I'll take another ugly win on Saturday please. Oh, and one against our red neighbours in a fortnight's time. Cheers.
StickyToffee Player Ratings: Mucha 4, Baines 6, Heitinga 6, Jagielka 6, Neville 7, Drenthe 5, Barkley 5, Fellaini 6, Rodwell 6, Coleman 5, Stracqualursi 5.
Subs: Vellios 6, Cahill 5, Gueye 6.
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