IT’S BIG NILLARDYCESAM Yet another clean sheet for an Everton side that are suddenly so hard to beat

SAM ALLARDYCE acclaimed a “remarkable turnaround” after Everton’s latest point – but Alan Pardew is having no such impact at West Brom.

A goalless draw at the Hawthorns made Allardyce the first new Everton manager to go unbeaten in his opening seven games.

That run has banished the potentially disastrous and embarrassing spectre of relegation for a club which spent big in the summer.

But while Allardyce’s arrival has pulled Everton out of their tailspin, Albion remain deep in trouble.

Pardew has yet to win in his six games since replacing Tony Pulis and Albion languish 19th in the table.

They had more possession and more chances but failed to seriously stretch keeper Jordan Pickford.

Everton were not at their best without Wayne Rooney, who was ill. Yet with Ashley Williams and Michael Keane in commanding form at the back, Albion rarely looked like scoring.

It ensured a second successive 0-0 for the visitors, after holding champions Chelsea.

Allardyce’s men look a different side from the shambolic one routed by Atalanta and Southampton and have let in only two goals in eight games.

“It’s a remarkable turnaround from a team who conceded 25 in eight,” said Allardyce. “Some of our defensive resilience was fantastic, particularly when they threw about five corners on the trot against us.

“Our defensive qualities are getting us through and picking up very valuable points. It’s a great point for us given the pressure we came under from West Brom.

“We have to improve with our game in possession, but with our troubles it’s only to be expected.

“But it’s eight games undefeated, confidence is growing and when we have injured players back we become a better squad.”

Winger Yannick Bolasie was given a first start in 12 months following a knee ligament injury.

But it was the hosts who began the brightest, an unmarked Salomon Rondon somehow missing the target from six yards out. Chris Brunt, Craig Dawson and Gareth Barry also went close in the first half.

After the interval, Rondon blazed wide before going off injured. The Baggies piled forward but failed to add to their meagre tally of just 14 goals.

Everton could have nicked it at the end when Ben Foster had to deny sub Oumar Niasse with his feet. That would have been an injustice.

But the future is looking brighter for Everton. Allardyce wants another striker next month to ease the burden on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, outcast Ross Barkley is back training with the first team and Bolasie will only get better when fully fit.