Here are the bald facts: West Brom, with just over 30% of possession, have had more shots on target so far - three to two. I wouldn't like to predict which way this one is going.

Meanwhile, Jonas Olsson joins Albion team-mate Saido Berahino in the book for a wild hack at Kevin Mirallas.

As it happens, Everton do not suffer for the decision. Craig Gardner's free-kick flies by the post, and everyone calms themselves down a touch.

The one thing I would be worried about if I were an Everton fan is this: Yes, your team are having far more of the ball, but your defence does look susceptible when Albion launch the high one.

Darren Fletcher has a sight of goal following a Salomon Rondon knock down; he gets the shot away, which is straight at the goalkeeper - but he is fouled in the process, and referee Neil Swarbrick pulls play back for the free-kick. Everton manager Ronald Koeman is so angry, I think there may be steam coming out of his ears.

Gareth Drake: Everton playing good football. Should have enough here for 3pts.  

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But Everton have been looking more threatening themselves since Romelu Lukaku came on and Gerard Deulofeu switched from the centre to the right flank. Seconds after the visitors almost pass their way through Albion's defence, an Everton corner causes trouble and Deulofeu, at the far post, hooks a shot against the goal frame.

Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg rescues his team in the opening moments of the second half, as Darren Fletcher is played into space on the right. The West Brom captain's shot is low and aimed for the far corner, but the Netherlands international sticks out a boot to divert clear.

No further substitutions at half-time - remember that Romelu Lukaku came on for Everton towards the end of the first half - and we're off again.

Before the second half gets under way, I'd like to share with you my favourite transfer tale of the weekend.

If you missed it: Christian Benteke joined Crystal Palace from Liverpool today in a £27m deal - but his Twitter biography was amended to state that he had joined Burnley instead.

Awkward, as I believe the kids say.

I'm just taking an opportunity to look again at Gareth McAuley's opener for West Brom. Salomon Rondon is having a right old tangle with James McCarthy as they wait for Craig Gardner's corner, while Saido Berahino and Maarten Stekelenburg are having a bit of a wrestle too. If Mike Dean had been refereeing this game, I think there would have been a couple of penalties apiece right there.

Dean, if you missed it earlier, awarded a penalty to each side as Manchester City won 4-1 at Stoke, having taken the zero tolerance approach to grappling at corners.

Image source, Opta

Everton had nearly 70% of the ball in that first half. It says much about how disciplined Albion were for much of the 45 minutes that the visitors created so little with it. Mind you, Romelu Lukaku's introduction definitely shook up the home defence.

That was pretty much the last kick of the half. I'm going to bring up the half-time possession stats for you now, because they are incredible.

Better from Everton. Romelu Lukaku outmuscles a couple of home defenders and feeds a pass wide to Gerard Deulofeu, all skipping feet and lightness of touch. The young Spain international looks much happier out wide, as far away from Jonas Olsson as possible, although he almost runs the ball out of play before digging out a cross that Albion eventually clear.

Joe Carmody: No panic for Everton. Martinez beat West Brom from 2-0 down last year.

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Everton defender Mason Holgate surges forward and is just brushed by Claudio Yacob - at least in the eyes of the referee. Tony Pulis, the Albion boss, looks on with a mixture of indignation and horror, racing to berate the fourth official. It's all for naught, as it turns out: Leighton Baines lifts the free-kick over the bar from around 25 yards.

Image source, Reuters

Romelu Lukaku is on for Everton. James McCarthy is the player to come off, with Gerard Deulofeu switched to the right. Lukaku was a popular player during his season's loan at The Hawthorns in 2012-13, scoring 17 goals. He wasn't quite so popular when he scored twice in a 3-2 Everton victory at West Brom last season.

Everton win a corner. Leighton Baines swings it into the middle, but Gareth McAuley gets up to head clear. I can't help but feel that Romelu Lukaku would have given Albion's back line a harder time there.

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator at The Hawthorns

Everton are having plenty of possession until they get to the final third of the pitch.

Meanwhile, on the touchline, Romelu Lukaku is getting ready to come on for Everton. Ronald Koeman has decided on a change of approach, it would seem. Does that mean the hook for Gerard Deulofeu?