EVERTON crashed to their second defeat by West Bromwich Albion this season as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was red-carded at the Hawthorns.

The Toffees were undone by an early Youssouf Mulumbu goal, after fine work by livewire Peter Odemwingie who tormented the visitors throughout the first half.

David Moyes’s side had more of the ball than West Brom, but failed to create enough clear-cut chances, and rarely looked like testing Scott Carson in the Baggie’s goal.

Ultimately Everton’s travelling supporters were left to head back home on the motorway, thinking of what might have been if their side had shown a little more attacking flair against opponents who appeared limited defensively.

Bilyaletdinov’s red card, after the Russian had been on the field for only five minutes in the second half, came after a rash lunge on fellow sub James Morrison. However TV replays showed little or no contact and underlined the folly of referee Anthony Taylor and his assistants.

In truth Everton, wearing their new amber away strip for next season, had not been doing enough to get back into the game anyway – and Bily had blazed their best chance of the game over the bar before his premature exit.

Anichebe had turned smartly for Everton’s only other concrete opening, after collecting a smart pass from Arteta, but the Nigerian’s shot was straight at Carson who blocked easily with his legs.

Their playmaker Mikel Arteta seemed isolated and underused on the left side of midfield, and Odemwingie’s movement had the away side too often on the back foot.

Circumstances elsewhere conspired to mean next Saturday’s Goodison game against Chelsea is likely to be dead rubber, and only FA Cup finalists Stoke can now theoretically prevent Everton finishing seventh.

But it was a disappointing and guile-less way for Moye’s side to sign off a campaign on the road when they have often played some of their best football.

Jermaine Beckford failed to offer any real penetration when he came on for Seamus Coleman, and Leon Osman was not at his effervescent best.

West Brom embarked on their end of season lap of honour after the final whistle to a crowd thrilled to have survived so comfortably.

Everton will have to improve significantly against Chelsea to earn similarly enthusiastic applause next weekend. During a season when they have often raised their game against the top flight’s big guns, the Blues will have to do it again – or a generally disappointing season will end accordingly.

EVERTON: (4-2-3-1) Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Neville (Capt) (Bilyletdinov, 73) Arteta, Osman, Coleman (Beckford, 61), Anichebe (Rodwell, 80).

Subs not used: Mucha, Gueye, Rodwell, Vellios, Baxter.

Bookings: Neville, Heitinga, Bily (red)

Goals:

WEST BROM: (4-5-1) Carson, Olsson, Scharner, Reid, Tamas, Shorey, Mulumbu, Thomas (Tchoyi, 79), Brunt (Capt) (Fortune, 90+), Cox (Morrison, 66) Odemwingie.

Subs not used: Myhill, Miller, Meite, Jara.

Bookings: Thomas, Tamas

Goals: Mulumbu (9)

Ref: A Taylor

Attendance: 25,838