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That's the problem with expectations; if you don't manage them constantly, they can prove your undoing.

Everton have dared to dream this season, but in the unforgiving world of the Premier League, a draw can often feel like a defeat. This may be seen to be a good point come May, but it didn't feel like it on the night.

Off-days have been few and far between for Roberto Martinez 's side this season, but this was certainly one. Everton, presented with the opportunity to score a psychological blow ahead of the Merseyside derby next week, missed their chance. They remain below Liverpool in the Premier League table, with Red and Blue sandwiched by a resurgent, fifth-placed Tottenham. That trip to Anfield in seven days' time looked important prior to kick-off; it looks vital now.

Martinez had taken his players for “warm-weather training” in Tenerife last week, but if the hope was that a break from the norm would re-energise his side, mid-season, his prayers were not answered. After a decent first-half, Everton were flatter than the mood in the Cropper household after the break. West Brom, battling for their lives, deserved their point.

Without Ross Barkley , and with Steven Pienaar absent with a muscle injury, Martinez's men flickered without sparkling. This is a team that prides itself on its attacking quality, but it was lacking here.

Leon Osman, charged with providing the dynamism and threat carried by Barkley, failed to deliver, whilst Romelu Lukaku 's dip in form continued. The Belgian created Kevin Mirallas ' opener with a fine flicked header, but was full of loose touches, and failed to muster a shot on target all evening. Overworked, he has now scored just once in his last eight outings.

A striker has always been Martinez's priority in this transfer window, and nothing he will have seen here will have changed that view. Expect a loan deal for Lacina Traore to be wrapped up later this month, providing the Monaco front-man is granted a work permit. “We have a strong case,” said Martinez.

Everton's squad, thinner than those of their rivals, is being tested right now. The sight of Seamus Coleman limping off with a hamstring problem late on was as unwelcome as Diego Lugano's late header.

The Irishman's performance levels have been staggering this season, and if he is to be absent for any length of time, he will be sorely missed. Even here, when far from his best, he provided a thrust, a pace and an energy that was lacking in too many of his teammates. Even James McCarthy , so impressive so often this season, seemed off-colour, swamped by a narrow Albion midfield, and unable to impose his authority on proceedings.

Of course the temptation will be to over-react. It always is in the Premier League, and especially when you have been spoilt as Everton fans have this season. Their remain within a point of the top four, and have the ideal chance to put this aberration out of their mind when they cross Stanley Park next week.

And if anything, the disappointment felt here merely underlines how far this side have come. You can tell a good side when a draw is greeted like a defeat.

In reality, an away point is rarely a poor result. Albion were bound to be buoyed by the arrival of Pepe Mel as manager here, and Everton are bound to have days, or nights, when their football doesn't click.

They will always miss the likes of Barkley, who is integral to the way Martinez wants his team to play, and with Pienaar and Gerard Deulofeu also absent, the burden on the likes of Lukaku, a 20-year-old, lest we forget, and Mirallas is huge.

Aiden McGeady will help matters, of course. The winger showed glimpses of potential during a 12-minute cameo here. Traore, a 6ft 8in frontman with decent pedigree, would provide competition as well as a different kind of striking option. Everton need both.

All in all, no reason for alarm at Goodison. Just a reminder that however far you think you've come, there's always someone ready to show you how far you still have to travel. And that those expectations cannot be allowed to run away with themselves.