McCARTHY AGONY AS EVERTON HOLD FIRM
SUBSTITUTE Oumar Niasse rescued a point for Everton at home to West Brom a minute after coming on, but the match was overshadowed by a horror injury to James McCarthy, the Irishman suffering a double-leg fracture.
‘It’s a tibular and fibular fracture compounded. A very nasty injury,’ confirmed manager Sam Allardyce.
‘It was our own fault and our own stupid play in that area. James recovered brilliantly to stop a goal but suffered because of it.
‘He’s paid a heavy price for his bravery and commitment. It’s a big blow for him and us.’
Trailing to Jay Rodriguez’s seventhminute opener, Salomon Rondon had the chance to double the lead.
McCarthy, however, raced back to put in a tremendous last-ditch tackle, knocking the ball to safety but was on the end of Rondon’s attempted kick, the West Brom striker connecting with the back of McCarthy’s knee.
Rondon was left distressed as the former Hamilton Accies midfielder was tended to by medical staff.
Theo Walcott was making his Everton debut following his £20million move from Arsenal this week and the England attacker had a hand in Niasse’s strike, providing the cross which the striker headed home to seal a point.
Goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez saw Leicester complete a 2-0 victory over Watford.
Joe Allen and Mame Biram Diouf found the net as new Stoke City manager Paul Lambert got his reign off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield to move out of the relegation zone.
West Ham and Bournemouth settled for a point a piece at the London Stadium.
Ryan Fraser had put the Cherries ahead on 71 minutes before Javier Hernandez scored two minutes later for the home side.