Everton still searching for first win

Everton were expected to be one of the challenges for a top four place this season after managing to strengthen the squad substantially during the summer with signings like Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry. However, the start to the season has proven to be tough affair for the toffees, who are still searching for their first victory of the season. Many would have expected Everton to finish with at least six points from the opening nine matches given that there are playing against one of the newly promoted teams with the rest of the two matches at home.

However, Everton could manage only a 2-2 draw with Leicester on the opening day of the season and they have since followed that up with a draw and a defeat. The 2-2 draw against Arsenal was especially tough on Everton given that they were leading 2-0 going into halftime before throwing away the lead in the second half. They managed to put up a spirited performance against Chelsea before ending up in the wrong side of a nine goal thriller at Goodison Park. The 6-3 defeat just before the international break left Everton just one place above the relegation zone.

Hence, there is real pressure on Martinez and his men to deliver three points when league action resumes with Everton taking on West Brom away from home. “The Hawthorns is always a tough place to go. If we remember last season we had a very good performance for a long period but then they reacted really well in the second half, and their fans got behind them. We expect a tough game, We know a lot of the individuals there and obviously the manager had been a part of our fabric for a long time so you can imagine that it’s going to be a lot of understanding between the two teams,” said Martinez.