Everton 1 West Brom 1: Boos greet another turgid performance as James McCarthy suffers horror leg break

Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott (left) bagged an assist in his first game for Everton Credit: pa

 

It was an afternoon of tears and jeers at Goodison Park. For West Brom the  performance was a fitting memorial to Cyrille Regis. For Everton the disappointment with a turgid display was put into perspective by the horrific  injury to midfielder James McCarthy.

McCarthy was rushed to hospital  after suffering a double leg fracture in the second half, hurt while making a challenge on Salomon Rondon. The West Brom striker was so upset Alan Pardew was unsure if his striker could stay on.

“Absolutely devastated. Rivalries are forgotten when a colleague suffers such an unlucky injury,” Rondon said on social media.

“It’s a nasty injury. We worked so hard to get him back to fitness so it is a loss until the end of the season,” said Everton manager Sam Allardyce.

James McCarthy
James McCarthy suffered a horrific leg break Credit: PA

Rondon was able to continue and was an inch from what would have been the most poignant goal of the weekend – a winner from a West Brom No 9 would have been appropriate and deserved given the balance of play.

Fate would not smile on Rondon as he summoned the spirit of Regis and a thunderous 25 yarder rattled the crossbar. Everton escaped with a point. It may sound trite to suggest that Regis’ memory inspired the current generation, but the emotion of the pre-match minute’s applause, the incessant chants of the visiting supporters and banner held aloft for the legendary striker must have been a source of motivation.

“The big man would have given us a nod if he was watching from upstairs,” said Pardew.

Everton were booed at half-time and full-time. Allardyce hoped his new  attacking duo of Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun would add a spark. A shot on target would have been an improvement, Everton having gone 213 minutes without one going into this game. They at least managed that in the first half – although it took another 38 to get there. When Jonjoe Kenny’s drive was easily held by Ben Foster it prompted mischievous cheers from the home fans.

By then Everton were chasing an equaliser. West Brom led after seven minutes when Jay Rodriguez was picked out by Grzegorz Krychowiak. The home defence were hoping a linesman’s flag would save them but the striker controlled the ball on his chest and picked his spot.

Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez had given West Brom a 1-0 lead Credit: getty images

Wayne Rooney introduction for the stricken McCarthy at least promised more creativity for Everton. It was his crossfield ball to Walcott that led to the 70th-minute equaliser, the winger heading in Oumar Niasse’s path for a well-taken volley.

Niasse had only been introduced 60 seconds earlier. Even that decision – he replaced Tosun – provoked jeers.

“I have no problem with them booing us as they deserved booing,” said Allardyce.

“They should listen to that as I do. The booing at half-time and full-time was fully deserved. The performance is a big blow for me. The only thing that was positive was the point.”

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