West Bromwich Albion improved their slender hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as they survived VAR controversy to beat Southampton 3-0, while Everton's fading top four bid was damaged by a 0-0 draw at Brighton on Monday.

Albion saw Mbaye Diagne's goal questionably ruled out by VAR early in the first half at the Hawthorns.

But Sam Allardyce's side recovered from that blow to sweep into a two-goal lead by half-time thanks to Matheus Pereira's penalty and a Matt Phillips strike.

Callum Robinson sealed West Brom's second successive win after the interval as the Baggies built on their stunning 5-2 victory at Chelsea.

Second bottom Albion move within eight points of fourth bottom Newcastle with seven games left.

The Baggies have scored eight goals in their last two games, two more than they had netted in their previous 11 combined, but their unexpected revival might have come too late to save them from slipping into the Championship.

"We have had two very important wins that are pricking up people's ears but unfortunately we have to rely on other people losing," Allardyce said.

The latest VAR row in a season of problems with the technology drew a scathing response from Allardyce.

"I'm afraid so," he said when asked if VAR is a laughing stock. "There are too many of us not being given an opportunity to express how to make it better."

<h2>- Ice-cool Pereira -</h2>

Southampton's limp display was the worst possible preparation for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Leicester.

After just four minutes it looked like being a frustrating evening for Albion.

Diagne nodded in from close-range and was flagged offside, with VAR backing the onfield call because television cameras could not get the right angle to conclusively prove the striker was on or offside.

But Pereira was brought down by Saints keeper Fraser Forster in the 32nd minute and the Brazilian picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick.

Phillips got the second three minutes later when he converted Diagne's cross at the far post.

Robinson put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute when he drilled in from Okay Yokuslu's pass.

Adding to Southampton's woes, Johnstone saved James Ward-Prowse's stoppage-time penalty after Conor Townsend's foul on Moussa Djenepo.

At the Amex Stadium, Everton were hoping to close the gap on fourth placed West Ham in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

But Carlo Ancelotti's team managed only one shot on target as their winless run extended to five games in all competitions.

Brighton dominated for long periods and Neal Maupay and Yves Bissouma, with a spectacular overhead kick, both went close in the first half.

Lewis Dunk's goalbound flick brought a fine save from Everton keeper Robin Olsen after the break.

Maupay and Jakub Moder were narrowly off target as Brighton pressed for a winner.

But Alex Iwobi nearly snatched the points for Everton when he flashed his shot wide in the last minute.

Everton, in eighth place, are seven points behind West Ham with a game in hand, while Brighton moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

"The attitude of the team was good, the quality of the play was not so good," said Ancelotti, who was without injured England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

"The last four games were not good. We have difficulties in this moment but we need to move on.

"We are still in the fight. It is more difficult but we will not give up. It is a strange season with unpredictable results."

West Bromwich Albion improved their slender hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as they survived VAR controversy to beat Southampton 3-0, while Everton's fading top four bid was damaged by a 0-0 draw at Brighton on Monday.

West Bromwich Albion improved their slender hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League as they survived VAR controversy to beat Southampton 3-0, while Everton's fading top four bid was damaged by a 0-0 draw at Brighton on Monday. Albion saw Mbaye Diagne's goal questionably ruled out by VAR early in the first half at the Hawthorns. But Sam Allardyce's side recovered from that blow to sweep into a two-goal lead by half-time thanks to Matheus Pereira's penalty and a Matt Phillips strike. Callum Robinson sealed West Brom's second successive win after the interval as the Baggies built on their stunning 5-2 victory at Chelsea. Second bottom Albion move within eight points of fourth bottom Newcastle with seven games left. The Baggies have scored eight goals in their last two games, two more than they had netted in their previous 11 combined, but their unexpected revival might have come too late to save them from slipping into the Championship. "We have had two very important wins that are pricking up people's ears but unfortunately we have to rely on other people losing," Allardyce said. The latest VAR row in a season of problems with the technology drew a scathing response from Allardyce. "I'm afraid so," he said when asked if VAR is a laughing stock. "There are too many of us not being given an opportunity to express how to make it better." - Ice-cool Pereira - Southampton's limp display was the worst possible preparation for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Leicester. After just four minutes it looked like being a frustrating evening for Albion. Diagne nodded in from close-range and was flagged offside, with VAR backing the onfield call because television cameras could not get the right angle to conclusively prove the striker was on or offside. But Pereira was brought down by Saints keeper Fraser Forster in the 32nd minute and the Brazilian picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick. Phillips got the second three minutes later when he converted Diagne's cross at the far post. Robinson put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute when he drilled in from Okay Yokuslu's pass. Adding to Southampton's woes, Johnstone saved James Ward-Prowse's stoppage-time penalty after Conor Townsend's foul on Moussa Djenepo. At the Amex Stadium, Everton were hoping to close the gap on fourth placed West Ham in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League. But Carlo Ancelotti's team managed only one shot on target as their winless run extended to five games in all competitions. Brighton dominated for long periods and Neal Maupay and Yves Bissouma, with a spectacular overhead kick, both went close in the first half. Lewis Dunk's goalbound flick brought a fine save from Everton keeper Robin Olsen after the break. Maupay and Jakub Moder were narrowly off target as Brighton pressed for a winner. But Alex Iwobi nearly snatched the points for Everton when he flashed his shot wide in the last minute. Everton, in eighth place, are seven points behind West Ham with a game in hand, while Brighton moved seven points clear of the relegation zone. "The attitude of the team was good, the quality of the play was not so good," said Ancelotti, who was without injured England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. "The last four games were not good. We have difficulties in this moment but we need to move on. "We are still in the fight. It is more difficult but we will not give up. It is a strange season with unpredictable results."

West Brom sink Saints to boost slender survival hopes, Everton frustrated

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Ancelotti has been heavily backed with the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much-improved side on the one that finished 12th last season as they were thoroughly deserving winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We showed we can compete, which is the most important message, that we can compete if the spirit is good, if the attitude is good," said Ancelotti.

"I said before the game our target was to fight for the European places. The first game was good, we have to see the second game and the third game, so we have to wait a little bit but I have a lot of confidence. I had (confidence) before this game and I have more confidence now, but we have to be focused."

Spurs are also hoping for an upturn in Jose Mourinho's first full season as boss, but the hosts looked &nbsp;short on ideas as they slipped to a damaging home defeat for their aspirations of mounting a challenge to get back into the top four this season.

"I didn't like my team," said Mourinho, who complained of the free-kick leading to Everton's goal and his players' lack of preparation time in a shortened pre-season.

"After their goal we were poor. We were not physically strong, there was no intensity. The team lacks physical condition."

Mourinho added Spurs' pre-season had been hit by positive coronavirus tests, but did not reveal the players involved.

Everton looked the fitter and better prepared side with their new midfield trio helping to control possession, but it was on the counter-attack they wasted by far the best chance of the game.

Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies's wayward pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before skewing high and wide with an open goal to aim at and Calvert-Lewin begging for a cut-back.

Spurs offered little as an attacking threat, but Jordan Pickford did have to make two good saves before half-time to deny Dele Alli and Matt Doherty on his debut.

Everton surrendered meekly to a 1-0 defeat when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July without mustering a meaningful shot on goal.

But the difference a few months and fresh faces can make was on show in the second half as they controlled the game to earn a first win over Spurs in 16 games.

The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes after the break as Calvert-Lewin rose highest to power Lucas Digne's free-kick into the top corner.

Mourinho said on Friday he hopes to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add some support to Harry Kane, but any new arrival will need better service to work with as the England captain did not have an opportunity to get his side back on level terms.

Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy all the chances as twice the Brazilian cut inside on his favoured right foot and curled efforts just beyond Lloris's far post.

However, one goal was enough for a statement win for the visitors and the worst possible start for Tottenham ahead of a gruelling schedule as they face up to eight games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League in the next three weeks.

"On Thursday we have a knockout game (in the Europa League) so there is not much time to cry or complain," added Mourinho.

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday. Ancelotti has been heavily backed with the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much-improved side on the one that finished 12th last season as they were thoroughly deserving winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "We showed we can compete, which is the most important message, that we can compete if the spirit is good, if the attitude is good," said Ancelotti. "I said before the game our target was to fight for the European places. The first game was good, we have to see the second game and the third game, so we have to wait a little bit but I have a lot of confidence. I had (confidence) before this game and I have more confidence now, but we have to be focused." Spurs are also hoping for an upturn in Jose Mourinho's first full season as boss, but the hosts looked short on ideas as they slipped to a damaging home defeat for their aspirations of mounting a challenge to get back into the top four this season. "I didn't like my team," said Mourinho, who complained of the free-kick leading to Everton's goal and his players' lack of preparation time in a shortened pre-season. "After their goal we were poor. We were not physically strong, there was no intensity. The team lacks physical condition." Mourinho added Spurs' pre-season had been hit by positive coronavirus tests, but did not reveal the players involved. Everton looked the fitter and better prepared side with their new midfield trio helping to control possession, but it was on the counter-attack they wasted by far the best chance of the game. Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies's wayward pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before skewing high and wide with an open goal to aim at and Calvert-Lewin begging for a cut-back. Spurs offered little as an attacking threat, but Jordan Pickford did have to make two good saves before half-time to deny Dele Alli and Matt Doherty on his debut. Everton surrendered meekly to a 1-0 defeat when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July without mustering a meaningful shot on goal. But the difference a few months and fresh faces can make was on show in the second half as they controlled the game to earn a first win over Spurs in 16 games. The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes after the break as Calvert-Lewin rose highest to power Lucas Digne's free-kick into the top corner. Mourinho said on Friday he hopes to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add some support to Harry Kane, but any new arrival will need better service to work with as the England captain did not have an opportunity to get his side back on level terms. Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy all the chances as twice the Brazilian cut inside on his favoured right foot and curled efforts just beyond Lloris's far post. However, one goal was enough for a statement win for the visitors and the worst possible start for Tottenham ahead of a gruelling schedule as they face up to eight games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League in the next three weeks. "On Thursday we have a knockout game (in the Europa League) so there is not much time to cry or complain," added Mourinho.

Ancelotti confident new-look Everton can shake up top six after Spurs win

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West Brom sink Saints to boost slender survival hopes, Everton frustrated

Ancelotti confident new-look Everton can shake up top six after Spurs win