A DOUBLE strike from full-back Leighton Baines helped Everton to victory over West Bromwich Albion – a win which reduced the gap to fourth place to just a single point.

The England man scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season late in the first-half as the Blues took control of proceedings at Goodison Park this evening.

West Bromwich Albion reduced the deficit just past the hour when Shane Long capitalised on some generous defending but Everton kept hold of the lead to secure a first win in the Premier League since January 2.

Victory reduced the gap between the Blues and fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur to one point after the London side were held to a 1-1 draw at Norwich City tonight.

The game explosively came to life when Baines woke it from its slumber.

Striding onto Leon Osman’s pass, the left-back drifted inside a static West Brom defence before unleashing a rasping drive which flew past the despairing dive of Ben Foster.

Baines’ strike galvanised the Blues as they significantly upped the tempo after his thunderous strike in the 29th minute.

Victor Anichebe – playing as the lone frontman after Nikica Jelavic was relegated to the bench – won a penalty in the dying seconds of the half and Baines converted to double the advantage.

In his Everton career, Baines has never missed a penalty in open play.

The Blues were comfortable as the game went through the hour mark and Kevin Mirallas came close to extending the lead further but saw his shot turned wide by Ben Foster.

But West Brom were gifted a route back into the game when John Heitinga made a mess of clearing Romelu Lukaku’s shot off the line and allowed Shane Long to head home.

Steve Clarke’s men suddenly found a sense of adventure and Graham Dorrans struck the upright direct from a free-kick soon after.

Everton managed to claw back control of the game and Steven Pienaar’s free-kick brought a fine finger tip save from Foster.

Leon Osman should have made it 3-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining but he blazed over from eight yards with the goal gaping.

The miss mattered not though as Moyes’ men held on for the three points.

EVERTON (4-2-3-1) Howard, Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Neville, Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar, Mirallas (Gibson 65),Anichebe (Jelavic 83).  Subs: Mucha, Gibson, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Gueye

Goals: Baines (29, 45 pen)

Cautions: None

Red Cards: None

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-2) Foster, Jones, McAuley,Olsson, Popov, Dorrans, Thorne (Yacob 43) Brunt ©, Thomas (Rosenborg 77), Morrison (Long 62), Lakaku.  Subs:  Myhill, Yacob, Ridgewell, Rosenborg, Long, Tamas, Fortune.

Goals: Long (65)

Cautions: Dorrans

Red Cards: None

Referee: Michael Oliver

Attendance: 31, 376