West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton Game Preview

Monday, September 28^th @ The Hawthorns

West Brom

Much like their opponent this Monday, West Brom have proved that they are not a team that will bend to the demands of bigger clubs. Much like Everton’s steadfast resistance to Chelsea’s chase of John Stones, West Brom repeatedly rejected Tottenham’s bids for Sadio Berahino. However, unlike Stones’ saga, Berahino stayed away from his parent club during the transfer window. Disgruntled and disenfranchised by West Brom’s resistance to allow the young striker to join Spurs, Berahino took to social media to project his outrage. These efforts proved futile, as the Baggies allowed September 1^st to come and go with their favored son still under their control with Berahino receiving nothing but a hefty fine in return for his public outrage.

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After his spell away from the squad, Berahino returned to action two weeks ago against Aston Villa, netting the difference-making goal in West Brom’s 1-0 victory on the road. The win was just the second of the season for a squad struggling to find the net. The Baggies have scored multiple goals just once this season, including a two goal effort in a rain-soaked loss to Chelsea in week three. Manager Tony Pulis and the West Brom faithful will certainly hope that now that Berahino has a pairing of games under his belt, he can regain his stellar form of the previous campaign. If the English youngster can develop some chemistry with fellow forward Rickie Lambert, WBA may end up having one of the more formidable attacking duos in all of the Premier League.

Everton

Everton have surpassed even Roberto Martinez’s wildest expectations this season. Coming off of a down season that saw the Toffees drop to 11^th on the table, Everton was dealt a hefty preseason blow, losing team captain Leighton Baines to a lower body strain. With the skipper out for several months, the squad has had to look to youth for stability and leadership.

Unlike Sadio Berahino’s transfer saga, center back John Stones was forced to show up for work everyday. The young defender had to endure a month-long trial that saw his manager, team, and fan base turn against him. At one point Stones even had to move out of his home and sleep at a Liverpool hotel to escape the bewildering ire of the Toffee fans. As a testament to his maturity, Stones showed up to the facility everyday, never discussed the saga with the media, and continued to string together stellar performances on the pitch. Now that the window has passed, Stones only has football to worry about. With the distractions, for now at least gone, Stones has focused on his game, rising to the ranks as one of the league’s top center backs.

Highlighted by Stones, Everton has found stability in youth. Emerging from the ranks of the reserve squad, Brendan Galloway has filled in for the injured Leighton Baines quite admirably. The 19-year old right back has put together a series of fine defensive performances in recent weeks, looking unafraid to press forward without neglecting his defensive responsibilities.

Up front, Ross Barkley has come of age, even if he is still only 21. The English midfielder has proved to be the catalyst that drives the Toffee offense. Like many other star midfielders, without a solid performance from Barkley, the Everton offense typically fails to get off the ground. Like many young players, Barkley will show signs of inconsistency, but those lapses have been few during the new campaign. Barkley’s finest performance of the season came two weeks ago when Everton defeated the struggling Blues of Chelsea 3-1. When Barkley connects well with his forwards, Arouna Kone and Romelu Lukaku, Everton has one of the most fearsome attacking trios in the league

Prediction

West Brom have struggled to find the net this season, scoring no goals in four of their league games thus far. Everton, on the other hand, have had a nose for goal, scoring eight through the first six weeks. Look for Barcelona transfer Gerrard Deulofeu to get involved this week. With Lukaku and Kone looking like a staller pairing up front, Deulofeu, a natural forward, may play more of a winger's role against West Brom. Ross Barkley should be able to carve up a West Brom backline that have looked chaotic and disorganized at times this season. Watching John Stones mark Sadio Berahino will be an entertaining sight for any fan excited to see some potential future stars of the English National Team.

West Brom 1-3 Everton

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