Carlo Ancelotti explains canny match-winning introduction of Gylfi Sigurdsson

Richarlison continued his red-hot form to boost Everton's top four hopes after Carlo Ancelotti's clever substitution.

Gylfi Sigurdsson came on in the 64th minute and went straight to replace left-footed Lucas Digne taking a corner.

Less than a minute later Everton had notched as the deadball expert crossed with his right-foot for Richarlison to head in after his initial delivery was blocked.

It was Richarlison's 12th goal this season in all competitions and the fourth game in a row he has scored.

It settled a tight contest as Sam Allardyce's Baggies battled until the end and were denied an Mbaye Diagne equaliser in stoppage time for offside.

Toffees boss Ancelotti, after a third straight win with a clean sheet, explained: “I think with the inswinging ball we are more dangerous.

“Lucas was taking the corner but it is better to have Gylfi with an inswinging ball.

“We want to fight for the European positions and we work really hard to be there.

“The Champions League would be a fantastic dream.

“Most of the players didn't play in the Champions League.

“Richarlison is a top striker and we have two upfront who are really dangerous.

“We are there in the fight but we need to sacrifice and give even more.”

Icelandic sub Sigurdsson admitted: “We had an idea it might be a set piece that could win the game.

“I went on to create or score a goal because it was 0-0.

“Richarlison is chipping in now at the right time.

“It was 1-0 in the last game and today.

“That is six points he has won us in the last two.

“We have to keep going and get on a run.

“If we can do that we can have a very good chance.”

West Brom, unchanged after beating Brighton at the weekend, nearly took the lead in the second minute.

But Senegal striker Diagne saw Jordan Pickford superbly claw away his header.

Diagne, signed on loan from Galatasaray in January, also shot over with an effort on the turn.

While Richarlison had a shot deflected over in the 38th minute for the visitors.

Everton should have taken the lead in the 42nd minute when Bernard's pass ricocheted to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in space.

But keeper Sam Johnstone stood firm and made a block from the striker's right-foot shot.

After the break, Diagne continued to cause problems as he headed over.

Yet it was Everton who took the lead as Richarlison powered in a header from inside the six yard box.

Albion battled on and Diagne thought he had levelled but VAR backed up the assistant's offside flag on the striker from Ainsley Maitland-Niles' cross.

Baggies boss Sam Allardyce, whose side host Newcastle on Sunday, said: "We scored a great goal but it was half a toenail offside.

"I feel hard done by, it is not a blatant offside."

Allardyce also claimed the hosts should have had an early penalty when Diagne went down in the box.

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