Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the Monday night clash between Everton and West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park. Both sides are in need of a win to move further clear of the relegation zone, although the teams come into this game in contrasting form. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

It has certainly not been a smooth ride for Everton so far this season, with the Toffees vastly underperforming over the first half of the campaign and beyond. Many expected them to be involved in the race for a Champions League place, but Roberto Martinez has failed to build on a very positive first year at the helm and his side are still dwelling in the bottom half of the table going into this one.

Indeed, they are just three points clear of the relegation zone at the moment and, while it is hard to see them being dragged into the battle at the bottom, if things don't improve soon then that is a very real danger. Those below them in the table are beginning to pick up points with a degree of regularity, and Everton are being caught. There are still a number of teams more in danger than the Toffees, but they certainly aren't immune from danger as things stand.

Tonight's match is a huge one for the hosts, then, as defeat would see them drop below the Baggies and into 14th place. It would also increase their winless streak to eight games in all competitions, a run that has already seen them lose five times. Looking even further back, they have only won one of their last 12 outings and have picked up only a solitary point from the last 15 on offer in the league.

That point did come again Manchester City, though, and there are a few signs of improvement from the Toffees. They played well in the 1-1 draw with the champions and were worthy of a share of the spoils, while they can consider themselves fairly unlucky to have been knocked out of the FA Cup by West Ham during the week as well. Everton had to play most of that match with 10 men at Upton Park but still managed to force penalties. It went all the way to the keepers, but Joel Robles hit the bar as the Hammers progressed in dramatic fashion.

Performances have improved, then, but results are still worrying, and that is largely down to the Toffees having such a leaky defence this season. Only three teams have conceded more goals than Everton's 34 this season - a tally that is just five fewer than they let in throughout the whole of the previous campaign. They have not kept a clean sheet in the league since November 1, while the last time they kept an opposing team at bay in any competition was 12 matches ago.

They have actually scored a respectable tally of 30 goals this season, but they simply have not been able to turn those into points due to their poor defensive record. Indeed, only Swansea City (16) have thrown away more points from winning positions than Everton so far, and they need to cut out individual errors if they are to climb up the table and into the top half. A whopping 18 points separate them from the top four now, so that goal already looks to be beyond them.

Their form at Goodison will also worry Martinez, who is coming under increasing pressure at the club. They have only won one of their last six in front of their own fans and have only won three times there all season. That is in stark contrast to the previous campaign, when they have only lost one of their home matches at the same stage.

While Everton may be reluctant to sack Martinez due to his fine season last year, West Brom have already had a change in the dugout, and it looks to be paying dividends already. The Baggies brought in Tony Pulis after Irvine's departure and the former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss has a 100% record from his first two games in charge, scoring eight goals and conceding none.

It should be noted that seven of those eight goals did come against lowly Gateshead in the FA Cup, but it is still a very impressive start to a managerial reign and he will be hoping that it continues in a big game for the club tonight. Including the recent draw with West Ham, the Baggies as a club are now three games unbeaten, which has helped them to edge away from danger in the Premier League.

Those around them are also improving, however, so Pulis will know that the hard work has barely even started for the Baggies yet. A 1-0 victory over Hull City in their last outing was a big victory over one of their relegation rivals, but Pulis himself has said that his task at The Hawthorns seems even bigger than when he took over Crystal Palace last season. Victory tonight, though, would see his side move 12th, five points clear of the relegation zone.

It is easy to see where West Brom's problems lie this season, with only two teams having scored fewer than their 20 goals. Pulis isn't renowned for free-scoring teams, but he makes them tight at the back and gets the goals when they matter - in tight 1-0 victories, for example. Defensively they haven't actually been too bad this season, with only Aston Villa posting a better record in the bottom half, but that is Pulis's speciality and you can be sure that the Baggies will be tough to break down under him.

One area that Pulis's style could really help West Brom is away from home. They have a poor record on the road this season, only winning two games all season and none in their last five. That includes dropped points to fellow strugglers Hull and QPR, the latter of whom came from two goals down to rescue a victory. You couldn't really see that happening under Pulis, so West Brom fans will be feeling a little more optimistic when their side travels now.

Once again, though, goals have been an issue, and that is particularly true on the road. They have found the back of the net just six times away from The Hawthorns this season - only Aston Villa and QPR have managed fewer. Looking even further back, their away troubles are by no means a new thing either. They have won only four of their last 26 away top-flight outings, losing 15 in that time.

It is fair to say that West Brom fans will be feeling a lot better about their season now than they were at the end of last month, however. Alan Irvine was always a bit of a gamble as a manager and, while it would be harsh to say that he didn't work out at all, there is a much lower element of risk with Pulis in charge. It really is hard to see the Baggies going down under their new manager, although it should be noted that this is probably the first time he has gone into a job with so much expectation on his shoulders.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides and there aren't many surprises for either side. Kevin Mirallas is the only change for the hosts as he replaces the suspended McGeady, while West Brom bring in Gardner and Anichebe for Sessegnon and Ideye. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

EVERTON STARTING XI: Robles; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Besic, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Hibbert, Oviedo, Jone, Garbutt, Alcaraz, McAleny, Griffiths

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster; Wisdom, McAuley, Lescott, Baird; Gardner, Brunt, Yacob, Morrison; Anichebe, Berahino

WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Pocognoli, Dawson, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Samaras, Ideye

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, It is no surprise to see Lukaku leading the line once again for Everton. He has received plenty of criticism so far this season and, with a £28m price tag, perhaps some of it has been warranted as he has been far short of his best. However, he has shown glimpses of his old self recently, scoring in both FA Cup matches against West Ham while also performing well against Man City. He is without a league goal in seven games, however, so needs to end that drought sooner rather than later.

The Belgian will receive support in the shape of Ross Barkley, Steven Naismith and the returning Kevin Mirallas tonight, with all three players capable of sharing the goalscoring burden. Naismith netted the equaliser against Man City recently, while Mirallas came off the bench to score against West Ham in midweek. Barkley's form has been called in question at times, but when on top form he is a real handful and the likes of Yacob co will have to keep a close eye on him tonight.

Protecting the back for will be Besic and Barry, and they must share some of the blame for Everton's poor defensive record this season. The back four and goalkeeper themselves have been responsible for a lot of individual errors this season, but the stoppers in front of them could have done better at times too. Both can be very effective in that position, and they will have to be particularly wary of allowing the likes of Brunt and Morrison space to shoot from range this evening.

At the back there are no changes for the Toffees, with Distin still struggling with a groin injury. Baines comes into the match having set a new Premier League record for number of assists against Man City, but it is fair to say that he and Coleman have not had as big an impact going forward this season as they did in the previous campaign. Stones and Jagielka have also been culpable for mistakes on occasions, while behind them Joel resumes in goal due to Howard's continued absence.

As for the Baggies, their main threat tonight will be Saido Berahino, who seems to have been rejuvenated since the departure of Irvine. The young striker has scored six goals in his last three games, including the winner against Hull in their most recent outing. There has been plenty of speculation regarding his future this month, but he has scored 14 of West Brom's 32 goals in all competitions so Pulis will be desperate to keep hold of him.

He is joined up front today by Victor Anichebe, who replaces Brown Ideye in the starting XI to face his former club. His power could well cause Stones and Jagielka problems, but the Toffees should know exactly what his strengths and weaknesses are. Yacob could well be key to stopping the likes of Barkley, Mirallas and Naismith in midfield, while Gardner, Morrison and Brunt can all pose Everton problems going forward.

It is defensively that Pulis is so impressive, though, and he opts for the same back five that kept him a clean sheet against Hull last time out. That means that Liverpool loanee Andre Wisdom returns to Merseyside to face his parent club's city rivals, while Lescott is back in familiar surroundings following his own stint at Goodison Park.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is quite a tough one to call, with West Brom's poor away form being at odds with their recent improvement under Pulis. Everton have been hit-and-miss this season but still have the quality to win these games, so I can see it being a tight one. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.

This would be a massive three points for either side if they were able to claim it, but you'd have to say that it is a bigger game for the hosts. Listen to what the Sports Mole sofa panel had to say about the match in our video preview below:

This is not a ground that has been too kind to West Brom over the years, with the Baggies having picked up just one victory at Goodison in the Premier League era. They have drawn two and lost five of their other trips here, while they are without a win in four against the Toffees both home and away.

Everton, meanwhile, have won 43 of the 74 meetings between these two sides at Goodison over the years, with West Brom managing just 15 victories in that time. Remember, they would move above the Toffees with three points tonight, though, and you'd have to question the safety of Martinez's position should his side fall to a home defeat against West Brom.

We're just minutes away from kickoff here on a big night for both teams. Can Pulis maintain his 100% record or will Everton end their winless streak?

KICKOFF: We're underway on Merseyside for this Monday night match between Everton and West Brom.

Everton have taken control of possession early on here, with West Brom fairly happy to let the Toffees have it in the opening exchanges. As expected, the visitors aren't being drawn out of their shape.

It has been a bright start from the hosts, who are looking to get at West Brom in the early stages. They have dominated the ball so far and have started much the better.

The Baggies really are defending very deep at the moment, with Berahino the only player outside their own defensive third when Everton have the ball.

SAVE! Mirallas looks to nullify that deep West Brom defending with an effort from range, but his low strike is comfortable for Foster to collect.

SAVE! This time it is Baines to chooses to let fly from range, and he catches his effort really sweetly. It swings a long way in the air, which makes it tougher for Foster, but the keeper still makes a fairly routine stop.

It has been one-way traffic for the Toffees so far. Anichebe and Berahino have seen very little of the ball so far, with the latter playing on the left to give the Baggies even more protection against the likes of Coleman.

This is already shaping up to be a typically Pulis away performance from West Brom. They have been disciplined so far and Everton have been limited to just a couple of long shots.

Gardner dives into a challenge on Barkley and is a little fortunate to escape a yellow card from Michael Oliver. That was an untidy one and, later in the game, it would certainly have been a caution.

Everton have had a whopping 79% of the ball in these opening exchanges, and that is no surprise whatsoever. They have been controlling the tempo of it so far, but will have to be patient.

A really sloppy period of the game as both sides struggle to keep hold of the ball, sending a number of passes astray. This has not been the best 20 minutes of football you will see this season.

The first hint of a West Brom attack as they work the ball forward. Eventually support arrives in the unlucky shape of Wisdom, but his touch deserts him at the vital moment and a great position goes begging.

The home fans are beginning to get a little restless now. The Toffees have been frustrated so far and there is a lack of movement in the final third against a very disciplined West Brom outfit.

SAVE! Again, Everton are forced into a shot from distance and this time it comes through a free kick as Baines is fouled. Mirallas is the man who takes the set piece, but his curling effort is stopped by Foster. It was a decent effort, but Foster was always getting there.

The patience that Everton look like they may need today doesn't seem to be present from the stands. Already when things aren't coming off for the hosts the fans are venting their frustrations, which can't be helping the team.

This certainly won't help the mood either - Baines plays a corner short but then doesn't get himself back onside and is rightly flagged by the linesmans. A few boos and whistles come from the stands.

West Brom look to have the best chance of the match so far as McAuley helps the ball on to Gardner. The midfielder cuts inside and only has the keeper to beat, but Joel pulls off a fine save. It wouldn't have counted anyway, though, as the linesman's flag was up.

Everton are trying something different here as Stones comes down the right flank, vacating his central defensive role. He plays a lovely ball into the box, but there are no takers in a blue shirt.

Stones is looking to come out defence a lot more now, with little to worry about at the other end. Anichebe is very isolated and has been all game, so the hosts can afford to put Stones further upfield.

SHOT! Stones is there down the right again, and West Brom can only clear it as far as Besic. He scuffs his 25-yard effort, but Naismith connects in an attempt to turn it goalwards. His effort is well off target, though.

Bright play from Lukaku as he bursts into life for the first time tonight. He collects the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the box before turning his man and creating a yard of space to shoot. However, that space is quickly closed down by Lescott, who makes the block.

So far, West Brom are playing the Pulis game plan to perfection. It isn't exactly easy on the eye, but if they emerge with a point then it would be a decent result for the visitors.

Everton have had seven shots so far, while West Brom are yet to test the Everton goalkeeper. Even so, the Baggies have arguably had the best position when Wisdom burst through on goal.

SHOT! Finally a shooting opportunity for West Brom, and that has to go down as half a chance in the context of this match. Anichebe chests the ball down brilliantly for Gardner, who mis-hits his effort and puts it well wide.

Oh my word, what a golden chance for Everton to take the lead, but they miss it! The penalty is awarded for a handball against Lescott after Lukaku had chested the ball down in the box, and it is the right decision from Michael Oliver. Mirallas wrestles the resulting spot kick off Baines, but drills a low effort off the outside of the post! Huge let-off for the Baggies!

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

Michael Oliver brings an end to an incredibly frustrating opening 45 minutes for Everton, with the scores still level at 0-0. West Brom have played very defensively so far, but Everton should be ahead having missed from 12 yards right on the stroke of half time. It is still very much up for grabs in the second 45.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute as the ball bounced up and struck Joleon Lescott on the hand. Lescott misjudged the ball and it wasn't a deliberate handball, but the referee made the right decision to point to the spot. Mirallas took the ball ahead of usual taker Baines and was left with egg on his face as his effort struck the outside of the post.

That was the major talking point of the first half, and it is very interesting why Mirallas took the ball off Baines. The pair had a talk just before the kick and Baines voluntarily stepped away, but he won't be happy right now. Roberto Martinez will also have something to say if Mirallas went against team orders.

The incident could prove even more costly considering there have been very few clear chances other than that. Everton have largely been limited to long-range efforts by a West Brom side that has defended deep and stuck to their strict shape, as expected under Pulis. Foster has been forced into a few stops from Baines and Mirallas, but they have all been relatively routine.

West Brom, meanwhile, have offered very little going forward. Berahino is playing on the left flank, leaving Anichebe isolated up front most of the time. The big striker has held the ball up relatively well so far, but there is only so much he can do. Gardner had the only shot of the half for the Baggies, scuffing his effort well wide from the edge of the box.

There was one moment in the match where it looked as though the visitors would get a clear chance. They made a rare foray forward and Wisdom seemed to be clean through on goal, only for his touch to let him down at a crucial moment.

EVERTON SUB: Now, this is very interesting. After taking the penalty off Baines and going on to miss it, the Belgian has been taken off at the break. Bryan Oviedo replaces him.

KICKOFF: We're back underway at Goodison here as Everton look to pick themselves up from that controversial end to the half.

Incidentally, Gary Neville labelled Mirallas's action as one of the most despicable acts you can commit on a football field, even comparing it to a punch or a leg-breaking challenge. It will be very interesting to see what Martinez has to say about it after the game.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night goes to Barry, who tripped Berahino as the young striker was looking to race away.

YELLOW CARD! He is swiftly followed into the book by Oviedo, who lunged into an untidy challenge on Gardner.

This match has quickly fallen back into a similar rhythm to the first half. Everton are asking all of the questions in an attacking sense, but West Brom have the answers right now.

SAVE! Another save to make for Foster, but it is another comfortable one. Besic turns neatly on the corner of the box, but his subsequent effort lacks power and is easy for the keeper.

The longer this match remains goalless, the more frustrated these fans are going to become. It has been a difficult match for them to watch, and of course coming after a poor run of form does not help matters.

YELLOW CARD! Morrison goes into the book for a tug on Barry right on the edge of the box. That came after a quick break which saw Lukaku have an effort blocked.

Still Baines is not allowed a set piece, although in fairness this time it is more suited to a right-footer. Barkley takes it on, but his drilled effort deflects off the wall and behind for a corner.

Still Everton knock on the door. They have almost set up camp in the West Brom final third in the last couple of minutes, and the pressure is really starting to build on the Baggies.

Yacob and Naismith clash twice in quick succession before a corner, and then when the ball finally does arrive the Everton man goes down again. The fans scream for a penalty, but the referee is having none of it. Yacob is perhaps a little lucky, particularly with the spotlight already on him.

Everton's pressure is relentless at the moment. West Brom just can't get out, but still their defence is holding firm. How long can they hold out for?

WEST BROM SUB: Finally West Brom get a little breather courtesy of their first change of the night. Morrison is replaced by Stephane Sessegnon.

Finally Everton find a way through the West Brom defence with some incisive passing. Lukaku and Barry combine to poke it through for Baines, but the left-back has strayed offside so his effort - which was saved anyway - would not have counted.

Everton have had the lion's share of possession in this match but they also need to be wary of committing too many men forward. Drawing this match would be a major disappointment, but it would be a near disaster if they were to lose it.

WEST BROM SUB: Perhaps a sign of Pulis's intentions for this final 20 minutes as Graham Dorrans replaces Berahino.

CLOSE! That is about as close as Everton have come from open play. Some more patient build-up play results in the ball being teed up for Besic, who fizzes a low effort just a yard or so past the post. It took a slight deflection on the way through, but Everton can't make anything of the resulting corner.

Just over 15 minutes left for Everton to finally find a way through. If things stay like this, it will be very interesting to hear the crowd's reaction at the final whistle. I suspect a few boos would be aimed at the Toffees, despite their dominance here.

CHANCE! Good chance for the hosts to break the deadlock as Stones strides forward from defence. The ball is eventually worked out to Naismith, who plays a decent little ball inside for Lukaku. However, the Belgian can't wrap his foot around it and fires a long way off target when well placed.

YELLOW CARD! Besic goes into the book for a trip on Sessegnon, who had turned his man smartly inside his own half.

WEST BROM SUB: Anichebe was initially going to be taken off for Brown Ideye, but an injury to Sessegnon forced Pulis to have second thoughts. However, Sessegnon is fine to continue, and Anichebe does make way for Ideye.

EVERTON SUB: Everton make a change of their own, and the decision is heavily booed by the home fans as Besic makes way for Arouna Kone.

CHANCE! Almost more misery for Everton as Wisdom does really well down the right before squeezing a cross into the box. Ideye dummies it but seems to fool Sessegnon too, who can't make a good connection when really well placed. That was a good chance for the visitors to nick this one.

This has been a monumental defensive effort from West Brom, but with just seven minutes remaining they must be running out of steam right now. This is set up for a tense finale.

The home fans are getting increasingly agitated right now. Their side has completely dominated this game but have created nowhere near enough considering that. They are five minutes away from an eighth consecutive match without a victory now.

Very good goalkeeping from Foster as he is at full stretch to reach a cross from Oviedo that Naismith was very interested in. He has not had much to do today considering how much Everton have been on top, and he has his defence to thank for that.

Still there is no way through for the Toffees. In fairness, any side would struggle against a team who have parked the bus as West Brom have here, but at the same time Pulis has done what he needed to do.

YELLOW CARD! Dorrans is a late name into the book for a foul on Baines down the left. The subsequent free kick is poor, however, and cleared by the first man.

Everton have four minutes of added time to find a way through here.

Some of the deliveries have been poor from Everton, it must be said. They have got into a number of good crossing positions but all too often their final ball has been disappointing.

Boos ring around Goodison Park at the final whistle as West Brom hold out for a very hard-earned point to maintain Pulis's unbeaten record in charge of West Brom. The major talking point surrounded a penalty on the stroke of half time which Mirallas took off Baines but went on to miss before being hooked at the break. It is now eight without a win for Everton, whose poor form continues.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a frustrating 90 minutes for Everton as they were held to a goalless draw by West Brom. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!