Victor Anichebe struck late on to give Everton victory in a stale opening Premier League game of the New Year.

Both sides put in a lacklustre performance as neither Tim Howard or Ben Foster had a save of note to make but it was the returning Anichebe, featuring for the first time since August, who made the difference.

The best chance of the opening period fell to Louis Saha, who dragged his shot wide after the ball squirmed loose from a Leighton Baines delivery.

For the hosts, Shane Long failed to arc his neck enough to send his header on target after a clever Chris Brunt centre.

Neutrals will have hoped for rousing half-time team talks from both camps but the sides resumed at a leisurely pace after the interval.

In-form Peter Odemwingie wasted by far the best chance of the game for the Baggies by volleying high and wide from 12 yards after being played onside.

Substitute Anichebe scored the winner three minutes from time by pouncing on Paul Scharner's misdirected header, holding off challenges from three Baggies defenders and poking over Foster.

West Brom see their three-game unbeaten run end and are overtaken by Everton, who climb into ninth.