West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Everton: A thrilling three-goal comeback by the Toffees

Everton maintained their unbeaten away record after a thrilling three goal comeback against West Bromwich Albion in Monday's Premier League clash.

West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Everton: A thrilling three-goal comeback by the Toffees
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By Adam Bailey

Everton recorded a thrilling three-goal comeback to maintain their unbeaten away record after trailing by two goals against West Bromwich Albion.

Goals from Saido Berahino and Craig Dawson left Everton with an uphill struggle at the Hawthorns. However, substitute Arouna Kone and two goals from Romelu Lukaku completed the remarkable turnaround for the Toffees.

It is only the second time that Everton have comeback from two goals down to win in the Premier League - the only other time was at home to Wimbledon in May 1994.

John Stones not risked

Defender John Stones, who picked up a knee injury during Everton's Capital One Cup victory over Reading in midweek, was replaced by Ramiro Funes Mori who made his first start in the Premier League since joining from River Plate on transfer deadline day.

Stones' absence meant Everton started a game without the 21-year-old and captain Phil Jagielka in the heart of the defence for the first time since 19 March, when they lost 5-2 to Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Europa League.

Gerard Deulofeu was rewarded for his match-winning performance at Reading with a first Premier League start of the season after re-joining the Toffees in the summer.

Berahino gave West Brom the advantage in a tight first-half

A tight game was expected with both teams boasting good defensive records so far this season after keeping three successive clean sheets coming into the match. Added to the fact, that West Brom have only scored four goals all season and Everton have failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four Premier League games.

It had looked as though it would remain goalless at the break with both sides creating few chances before Saido Berahino broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

The best chance for the Toffees fell to Ross Barkley in the 29th minute. Deulofeu played the ball through to Barkley, who sliced his shot wide, after being put through on-goal in a promising position.

However, Berahino's second goal in as many games gave West Brom the advantage four minutes before half-time. James Morrison laid the ball off to Berahino, who slotted home from close range.

Everton came close to equalising in the final minutes of the half but James McCarthy's shot was tipped around the post by Boaz Myhill to ensure that the hosts went into half-time ahead.

A thrilling three-goal comeback for the Toffees

It looked like it would be an uphill struggle for Everton after Craig Dawson doubled West Brom's lead nine minutes into the second-half. The defender escaped his marker inside the box before heading past Howard at the far post.

Everton responded within 27 seconds of the restart when Romelu Lukaku pulled a goal back to give the Toffees hope. The former West Brom player rose highest to head the ball beyond Myhill from Deulofeu's cross from the right - for his third league goal of the season.

Arouna Kone then drew Everton back level when he slotted past Myhill just two minutes after replacing Steven Naismith on 72 minutes. It was great play by Lukaku to slide an inviting pass through to Kone, who showed great composure to slot the ball beyond Myhill.

Lukaku then completed the comeback in the 84th minute. The Belgium international beat two West Brom players to Deulofeu's cross, the ball ricocheted off his body before firing home from close range.

Rickie Lambert had a golden opportunity to bring the scores back level but hit his shot wide from inside the area. Lukaku's second goal proved to be the match winner and maintained Everton's unbeaten away record this season.