BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) ― Diego Lugano scored his first goal for West Bromwich Albion to rescue a 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday in new manager Pepe Mel’s first Premier League game in charge.
The Uruguay international’s 75th-minute header prevented a misfiring Everton side to go back into the top four after Kevin Mirallas had given the visitors a first-half lead.
Everton had a goal correctly disallowed for offside with the last kick of the game, leaving the team in sixth place, a point behind Liverpool and Tottenham.
“I think it was a fair result in the end,” Everton midfielder Gareth Barry said.
Mel replaced Steve Clarke, who was fired last month, having been sacked by Real Betis himself. He said he still needed time to make the team play the way he wants, but was pleased with the performance.
